Support asked for Redkey water grant (02/08/08)

To the editor:

Over the past few years there has been much discussion with regard to the overall condition of the water system in Redkey. Even though our water quality remains good, our delivery system has major problems. So much so the town council decided it must act to replace it. The age of the system is certainly a factor that accelerated deterioration of the tower and treatment plant over the past several years. The decision of the board to replace the system was prompted by inspections from various construction and engineering companies as well as IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management).

Much data was looked at during this time and many recommendations presented. Eventually the decision was made to study the cost of replacing the entire system.

The town contracted with Commonwealth Engineering which completed a preliminary plan including finance options, rate studies, and grant opportunities necessary to make it affordable for the community.

After the decision was made to proceed with the project, the town asked Jay County Community Developer Ami Huffman to prepare a grant request for funding through OCRA (Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs) for $500,000. That combined with a $220,000 grant from USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) would leave the town with a loan for approximately $1.5 million over 40 years. Grant funding would account for nearly 35 percent of the total project cost.

In order to qualify for funding it was necessary to raise water rates by 50 percent (started in November, 2007). The need for an additional rate increase in the future has not yet been determined.

The OCRA grant is critical to make the project affordable for our citizens.

Recently a resident informed the Redkey Council he intended to circulate a petition against the water project. Any petition of this kind would severely damage our quest for funding.

During a town meeting this fall it was reported that IDEM had issued the town an "early warning" order which stated Redkey was in danger of exceeding its water capacity. Our answer to IDEM was a presentation of our plan to replace the water tower, treatment plant and water lines. We are now committed to completing this project.

The town council had asked for letters of support from residents, however, the letters we received and included in the grant request, were from Redkey officials and not from residents. We did not receive the grant in the first round even though we scored high enough to be funded. There was heavy competition from other communities with similar problems and needs.

One big reason we did not receive funding during the first round was "lack of community support." We need that support badly for the second round of the awards process.

Letters of support may be delivered to the Redkey Town Hall or to any town council member prior to March 14. I urge you to do this; even a short signed statement of support is all we're asking.

We also ask residents not to sign petitions without having accurate information. Any resident with questions concerning this project or any other town-related matter, is asked to contact a town council member.

Thank you,

Doug Stanley, president,

Redkey Town Council[[In-content Ad]]