Lyndon City Council
KDHE urges rate increase to finance sewer
DeAun Michael | Reporter

LYNDON—The Lyndon City Council will soon be considering a sewer rate increase at the recommendation of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

Donna Crawford, grant administrator with Governmental Assistance Services, explained to the council at their regular meeting Dec. 1, that in order to meet the city’s KDHE sewer project loan obligations and maintain a reserve for operation and maintenance costs, the city needs to implement an increase for their sewer rates in the very near future.

“KDHE doesn’t feel your current rates are going to support paying the loan back,” Crawford said, “and they are also looking at more than debt retirement. You need to have a reserve so that you have overage for maintenance costs in case anything drastic would happen. They are looking at your operating and maintenance costs as well.”

After discussion of current rates and rate structure, the council requested a letter of recommendation from KDHE regarding the increase they would consider adequate to meet the city’s obligations for loan repayment and maintenance. Crawford will request the letter immediately with hope the council will have it for consideration at their next meeting.

The council also heard a sewer project update from Andy Giles and Dave Breuer, of Kansas City Construction Incorporated. It was reported the project is proceeding well. Contractors are now waiting for direction on the sewer issues involving the Osage County Courthouse service line. City attorney Pat Walsh informed the council the county commission has verbally agreed to take over the city’s main line that runs under the courthouse. That line will become the courthouse’s service line, contingent on acceptable bids to install a cleanout opening or manhole.

Council member Bill Patterson asked Giles and Breuer if the rough area on Jefferson Street would get attention soon. Brewer told the group they are not ready for asphalt at that location yet, but they will get some rock on it as soon as possible.

In other business, the council:

• approved full time city employee Christmas bonuses of a $35 reimbursement for purchase from any Lyndon merchant.

• considered a request for donation to the 2009 Osage County Fireworks Festival. The matter was tabled for further discussion.

• approved cereal malt beverage and liquor by the drink license renewal requests.

• approved meeting for year-end city business, bill payment at 6 p.m. Dec. 29.