Letter to the Editor from Mayor Barb Ballew regarding vote yes on water plant

Next Tuesday you will be asked to vote for or against this issue. Our water plant has reached the end of its life cycle. The plant runs approximately two or three times longer than it was designed to run every day just to meet the water needs of the community. Monthly maintenance and upkeep are costing the City approximately $5,000 a month. The plant must run every day as there is no way to shut it down for maintenance without shutting off the water to the community. Continuing to operate as we are today, even with a rate increase, is not an option.

The bond issue is the most economical way to acquire the money for a new plant. With passage of the bond, we will be eligible for Department of Agriculture monies of around one million dollars. It would also allow us to secure low interest loans for the remainder of the money. Voting no would mean the City would have to borrow the money from commercial lenders at a much higher interest rate. Water customers would see approximately a $10 to $15 increase in their monthly water bill. (As a side note, we do not qualify for State assistance as they say if our water rates were comparable to other communities, we might not need assistance. Indicating our rates should be about double what they are today.) With the new plant the water department budget will include sufficient money for any and all maintenance needs. Operating personnel will be fully qualified to perform all maintenance tasks and a rigid preventative maintenance schedule followed. Just as a new water plant is essential, it is just as important not to repeat any of those mistakes made in the past. With this bond issue, the sewer rates will not be affected. The only reason for a sewer rate increase would be an unforeseen problem in the sewer department.

A new water plant will not only allow us to provide higher quality water to the community, but will also be able to process enough water to satisfy the growing requirements of Rural Water District #2. This is a great source of income for the water department and will help off-set some of the expenses.

You will also see your water heater, coffee pot, etc., last a lot longer, as the lime will be removed from the water during processing at the plant.

The new water system supplying water for Northwest Missouri from the Missouri River is coming together and moving forward. Gallatin has signed on as a member of this project. Unlike other communities who sign on as a "user," Gallatin would be able to sign on as a "provider," where we would sell our water to the system. Gallatin has an excellent water source and upgrading our existing wells is included in the new plant construction costs.

Nobody, including myself, wants to see the water rates go up. But we’re at a point that something must be done and unfortunately every option costs money. As I said earlier, the bond issue is the most economical option we have. VOTE YES ON THE BOND ISSUE NEXT TUESDAY.

Until next time,

Barb Ballew, Mayor