PRWID Attempts to Deal with Deficit on Past Sewer Project

By Sun Advocate

For any government entity, the complexity of projects can often extend early estimations on both cost and completion dates.
Such is the case for the Price River Water Improvement District.
As the PRWID board seeks to wrap up a county-wide sewer extension project which began in March 2003, excess costs and late additions have strained the board’s depleted coffers.
In the last PRWID meeting, a pay request for $19,271.50 was approved by the board for the installation of the last sewer line included in the endeavor.
“This pretty much completes the major work on the project,” Palmer noted.
However, with unexpected overuns due to road damage caused by the ground water, an extra $123,620.57 was spent on completing the extension, as well as the addition of another $100,000 sewer line on 11th North and Harwood lane.
The extra $223,620.57 is tacked on to the $600,000 which was loaned at the onset of the project.
At the last Community Impact Board meeting, the agency petitioned for a $225,000 grant to pay for the excess cost.
Currently, the board awaits the CIB’s decision with mixed expectations.
“I am hopeful that we can get the supplemental portion of $123,000 as a grant,” said Phil Palmer, the district manager of PRWID. “We may get all of it, but I doubt it.”
Several options were discussed by the board, such as adding the $100,000 to the $600,000 loan that was already out.
However, the board was concerned that the money could not be added to the original loan and that an entirely new bond would need to be issued to cover the amount.
Some agreed to having another bond issued, while others expressed disapproval.
Vice president of the board, Karl Houskeeper, recommended that the body wait on taking out another loan unless the problem could be solved by rolling the $100,000 into the original amount.
Palmer said he believed the board had lots of options in arranging the funding.
“There are a number of variables there,” he commented. “We could bite the bullet and do them now or we could put them on a priority list.”
The board also opened up the floor to concerned citizens who had their own ideas regarding the need of sewer lines in the county.
Several area residents voiced complaints about the inconvenience of the project and pointed out other areas in need of sewer access.
Palmer said that he understood their concerns, but that any sewer project was going to be a little inconvenient and that funding was a factor in adding more lines.
“We’d love to get you sewered but we need to see some funding.” Palmer told the citizens.
In other business, the board agreed to sign a notice to proceed on the painting of the Four Mile/Kenilworth storage tanks.
Some conflict had occurred between the board and the lowest bidder. When funds were requested by the contractor, which were in excess of the original bid, the board had determined them to be unnecessary.
Without the extra funds, the contractor passed up the project. However, as the board was ready to offer the job to the next lowest bidder, the lowest bidding contractor decided to instead accept the job on the original terms.
The board also discussed the newest snow report for the 2004 water year.
According to Assistant Director Jeff Richens, the White River is 10 percent above average.
“What does it mean, it means we’re gonna get a drink this summer,” he said.