Council to consider cost options for wastewater treatment upgrades

McCOOK Neb. — The City Manager’s report will be presented at the May 20, 2024, City Council meeting and will include a resolution (Resolution No. 2024-10) to approve funding recommendations for wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) improvements.

The proposed funding amount is $14,497,000, to be applied for through USDA-RD and Northland Securities.

The existing WWTF, while currently functioning within compliance, is in need of immediate attention due to aging equipment and potential new environmental regulations.

The Facility Plan Summary outlines the proposed upgrades, which are crucial to ensure effective wastewater treatment over the next 20 years.

The improvements include the construction of a Sequencing Batch Reactor without new Clarifiers Collection system improvements, ‘S’ Street Sewer Extension, and Karrer Park Lift Station Control System Rehabilitation. The City Council selected this plan in December 2023.

After careful consideration, two funding options were presented by the Water/Wastewater Advisory Committee (WWAC):

Funding Package No. 1, a well-balanced option, involves combined loans from USDA and Northland Securities with an estimated monthly user rate of $49.64.

Funding Package No. 2, while also viable, proposes a CWSRF loan with a higher estimated monthly user rate of $79.25.

Following a conference call on May 7, 2024, the City was recommended to accept Funding Package No. 1 from USDA/Northland Securities due to its lower estimated average user cost compared to Funding Package No. 2.

Resolution No. 2024-10 authorizes the Mayor to execute all necessary documents to apply for USDA funding.

The City Council will be asked to approve the proclamation designating the week of May 19-25, 2024, as “National Public Works Week” and “Emergency Medical Services Week” and authorize the Mayor to sign. 

The McCook City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 5:30 p.m., and the public is encouraged to attend.  Approve the proclamation designating the week of May 19-25, 2024 as “National Public Works Week” and authorize the Mayor to sign. Approve the proclamation designating May 19-25, 2024, as “Emergency Medical Services Week” and authorize the Mayor to sign

Approve Resolution No. 2024-10 to accept funding recommendation and authorize Mayor to execute all documents required to apply for funding through USDA-RD and Northland Securities for $14,497,000 for completion of the Wastewater Improvements proposed within the completed Facility Plan Summary for the proposed WWTF upgrades.