Electric City OKs plant design funding

Sewer rates will likely go up in Electric City after the city council approved a funding package obtained by Grand Coulee to redesign and refurbish the wastewater treatment plant they both use.

A grant/loan package from the Washington State Dept. of Ecology will fund the final design stage of the project for $1.452 million in engineering bills from Gray & Osborn, Inc., Electric City’s share of which is about $268,620. The total project cost is projected at over $12 million.

The cities are looking at a completion date of 2027 or 2028. Loan payments start after completion.

Councilmember Brian Buche recalled the engineer, G&O’s Nancy Wetch, advising that accepting the guaranteed rate in the loan package is a “no brainer” given the current rising interest rate economic climate of the country.

Wetch has supplied the cities with possible rate rise scenarios, which typically are overseen by funding agencies that follow guidance on acceptable hikes for cities that take into account population and average income.

In other business, council heard a pitch from Sam Snead, of SJ Environmental, of Moses Lake, which is offering services to operate Grand Coulee’s wastewater treatment and collection systems. Snead said they’d charge $150,000 a year, down from its current costs of $200,000.

He said the company could offer similar services to Electric City. If they get the Grand Coulee contract, Snead said, the company already has a candidate willing to move into the community to do the work.

Council also authorized the lease of a 2014 Elgin Whirlwind Street sweeper through NCL Government Capital for $20,232 a year for seven years.