A public hearing was held prior to the regular meeting of the Huntsville City Council last Thursday. The hearing was to address question citizens might have concerning the sewer bond issue that will be on the November ballot. Cass Mathews and Ron Shy with Allstate Consulting were on hand to answer questions.

Shy said the city needs to upgrade the treatment service and collection. There are “unsewered” areas in Huntsville and there is an infiltration problem.

The company has come up with a $3.2 million facility plan with four options. The option they recommended to the Council is referred to as “land applied” (reuse as irrigation water) and doesn’t require a discharge permit.

Shy explained that the city must have a new sewer system in order to meet DNR requirements.

“You need capacity to sell bonds,” said Shy. “If you get grant moneis, you don’t have to sell the bonds but you would have the capacity for the future.”

An evaluation was done of Huntsville and it was determined to be 51 percent low- to medium- income, said Mayor Debbie Webster. This designation makes Huntsville eligible for a block grant.

Randolph County Clerk Jim Sears has certified the following question to be on the November 2 ballot:

Shall the City of Huntsville, Missouri, issue its combined waterworks and sewerage system revenue bonds in the amount of Two Million two hundred and twenty five thousand dollars ($2,225,000.00) for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, extending, improving, furnishing and equipping the City’s combined waterworks and sewerage system, the cost of operation and maintenance of said system and the principal of and interest on said revenue bonds to be payable solely from the revenues derived by the City from the operation of its combined waterworks and sewerage system, including all future extensions and improvements thereto?

The City is looking at holding cells and sprinklers, as well as the needed chemicals. It is also looking into the possibility of allowing the farmer who owns the land on which the treatment site is located to use the treated water for irrigation, a perfectly acceptable measure by DNR standards.

The project is now estimated to cost $2.7 million. The $2.225 million the City is asking for in November plus the $850,000 approved last year should cover the costs and provide a cushion in case of potential changes and price fluctuations.

Passing the November issue would provide other benefits to the City. It would enable the city to apply for low-interest loans and grants to help with the cost. In order to be considered for the grants and loans, the City must show it can contribute towards the cost of the project. The more of these types of monies, the less which would be needed through the bonds. Webster said residents would only be responsible for bonds authorized and not for any that are not issued. She also said the bonds won’t affect taxes.

“But sewer rates will go up,” said Webster. “It depends on how we’re going to fund it.”

Another regulation which will have to be put into force is a change in the billing system. Webster explained that sewer and water are billed together now with sewer based on a percentage – 30 percent – of water usage.

“This can’t continue,” said Webster. “It has to be a separate rate.”

Huntsville has until the year 2013 to be in compliance, a date not that far off considering the work that would need to be done. If DNR requirements are not met at that time, the city could be subject to a $10,000 per day fine. But possibly more important, persons in Huntsville are not living in the most hygienic circumstances. Contaminated fish and game could curtail fishing and hunting and people will think twice before swimming in the local pond on a hot summer day. It is unknown what could happen to vegetable gardens and crops but it probably isn’t good.