Liberty Town Council considers utility project upgrade
May 4, 2022 at 9:21 p.m.
Union County commissioner Howard Curry proposed a system upgrade to the planned utility expansion to Liberty Town Council (LTC) at its May 2 meeting.
Curry explained the proposed development site would be better accessed through the Wilmar development. Accessing the property off S.R. 44, as originally planned, would be difficult due to Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulations.
Engineering firm RQAW has expressed some concerns over the lift station specified in the project; while it is sufficient to handle the project, it does not leave room for much expansion. RQAW suggested going to a larger lift station. LTC president Matt Barnhizer added sewer mains and the lift station servicing Wilmar are already at capacity. The upgrade to a larger lift station in Wilmar is estimated at $400,000 to $500,000. Liberty clerk-treasurer Melissa Shepler asked who assumes that cost, Curry replied the county is asking the town.
Barnhizer asked Curry how much money the county is receiving through the American Recovery Plan Act, Curry replied $1.3 million. Barnhizer explained part of that money is going to run lines to the proposed development, but a significant amount will be used to upgrade the town's infrastructure. Shepler asked for a breakdown for how the money will be spent. Curry agreed to request a detailed breakdown from RQAW.
Barnhizer noted a low estimate for the development is 35 homes; each of those homes would pay $2,000 to connect to town utilities once constructed, totaling $70,000. Once connected, even paying the minimum usage rate, the development would pay $27,300 per year. Shepler cautioned the length of time it could take between paying to install the infrastructure and occupancy of the homes, as well as concerns over financing.
“It is an expenditure, I'm not discounting that fact, but it is an investment in our future. Look at $6,800 per child, coming into this community that would live in a house out there, to this school system. That's huge,” said Curry.
Council member Ross Keasling reported hearing of three to four families in the Oxford area interested in moving to the Liberty area, but have been unable to find the standard of housing they expect. Curry reported hearing of similar inquiries.
Barnhizer asked Curry to get a breakdown of the expenses to Shepler, who will send it out to the council members and financial advisor Baker Tilly. Barnhizer reported Liberty utility superintendent Matt Reuss is compiling a list of other infrastructure investments needed in the future.
Also discussed:
-Council approved Ordinance 2022-1, implementing a two-hour parking restriction on some parking spaces on Union Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. The ordinance will take effect June 1. Keasling inquired about the clause giving the chief of police authority to dismiss fines, Shepler replied the clause is to address merchants' concern over customers parked for services exceeding two hours.
-Resident Jessica Brubaker brought a request for a four-way stop at the intersection of Sycamore and Fairground streets, having witnessed an increase in children playing in and around the street. Barnhizer reported the intersection before and after both have stop signs. Council vice-president Bias agreed with the traffic concerns, as did council member Derrek Jenkins, who lives in the vicinity of the intersection. Council decided to review the matter with Reuss and Jordan.
-Council approved an amendment to Ordinance 2021-7, increasing rates of pay for some county employees.
-Council approved a resolution altering the town's petty cash policy. Shipping for water samples was billed monthly in the past, but a change in shipping options will require that money to come out of petty cash, requiring an increase from $100 to $150.
-The town utilizes dumpster service from Waste Management and Rumpke at its wastewater facility. Waste Management recently sold one of its lines of service to Rumpke. Keasling inquired how that affects the town's rate, Shepler replied it comes with a slight price increase, but they have no other option. Reuss is investigating a contract to move the remaining Waste Management contract to Rumpke.
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Union County commissioner Howard Curry proposed a system upgrade to the planned utility expansion to Liberty Town Council (LTC) at its May 2 meeting.
Curry explained the proposed development site would be better accessed through the Wilmar development. Accessing the property off S.R. 44, as originally planned, would be difficult due to Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulations.
Engineering firm RQAW has expressed some concerns over the lift station specified in the project; while it is sufficient to handle the project, it does not leave room for much expansion. RQAW suggested going to a larger lift station. LTC president Matt Barnhizer added sewer mains and the lift station servicing Wilmar are already at capacity. The upgrade to a larger lift station in Wilmar is estimated at $400,000 to $500,000. Liberty clerk-treasurer Melissa Shepler asked who assumes that cost, Curry replied the county is asking the town.
Barnhizer asked Curry how much money the county is receiving through the American Recovery Plan Act, Curry replied $1.3 million. Barnhizer explained part of that money is going to run lines to the proposed development, but a significant amount will be used to upgrade the town's infrastructure. Shepler asked for a breakdown for how the money will be spent. Curry agreed to request a detailed breakdown from RQAW.
Barnhizer noted a low estimate for the development is 35 homes; each of those homes would pay $2,000 to connect to town utilities once constructed, totaling $70,000. Once connected, even paying the minimum usage rate, the development would pay $27,300 per year. Shepler cautioned the length of time it could take between paying to install the infrastructure and occupancy of the homes, as well as concerns over financing.
“It is an expenditure, I'm not discounting that fact, but it is an investment in our future. Look at $6,800 per child, coming into this community that would live in a house out there, to this school system. That's huge,” said Curry.
Council member Ross Keasling reported hearing of three to four families in the Oxford area interested in moving to the Liberty area, but have been unable to find the standard of housing they expect. Curry reported hearing of similar inquiries.
Barnhizer asked Curry to get a breakdown of the expenses to Shepler, who will send it out to the council members and financial advisor Baker Tilly. Barnhizer reported Liberty utility superintendent Matt Reuss is compiling a list of other infrastructure investments needed in the future.
Also discussed:
-Council approved Ordinance 2022-1, implementing a two-hour parking restriction on some parking spaces on Union Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. The ordinance will take effect June 1. Keasling inquired about the clause giving the chief of police authority to dismiss fines, Shepler replied the clause is to address merchants' concern over customers parked for services exceeding two hours.
-Resident Jessica Brubaker brought a request for a four-way stop at the intersection of Sycamore and Fairground streets, having witnessed an increase in children playing in and around the street. Barnhizer reported the intersection before and after both have stop signs. Council vice-president Bias agreed with the traffic concerns, as did council member Derrek Jenkins, who lives in the vicinity of the intersection. Council decided to review the matter with Reuss and Jordan.
-Council approved an amendment to Ordinance 2021-7, increasing rates of pay for some county employees.
-Council approved a resolution altering the town's petty cash policy. Shipping for water samples was billed monthly in the past, but a change in shipping options will require that money to come out of petty cash, requiring an increase from $100 to $150.
-The town utilizes dumpster service from Waste Management and Rumpke at its wastewater facility. Waste Management recently sold one of its lines of service to Rumpke. Keasling inquired how that affects the town's rate, Shepler replied it comes with a slight price increase, but they have no other option. Reuss is investigating a contract to move the remaining Waste Management contract to Rumpke.