April 4, 2023 Election Information
On Tuesday, April 4, the voters of the City of Warrenton will have an opportunity to vote for a revenue bond issue. The purpose of this information is to inform City residents about the election. The purpose is
NOT to advocate, support, or oppose the proposition.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows:
Shall the City of Warrenton, Missouri, issue its combined
waterworks and sewerage system revenue bonds in the amount of $13,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, extending and improving the combined waterworks and sewerage system of the City, including the construction of a new water tower and
connection lines and the expansion of the existing wastewater treatment plant and collection system and the acquisition of real estate and easements related thereto, the cost of operation and maintenance of said system and the principal of and interest on said revenue bonds to be payable solely from the revenues derived by the City from the operation of its combined waterworks and sewerage system, including all future extensions and improvements thereto?
A “ YES” VOTE means the City can issue revenue bonds resulting in lower cost financing.
A “NO” VOTE means the City must utilize financing resulting in higher interest cost and possibly higher user rate increases.
The Proposition
Voters are being asked to authorize issuance of revenue bonds for the purpose of financing improvements and increase capacity to the wastewater treatment plant so it may continue to meet the City’s needs. As well as a deep well and water storage facility to serve the south and southwest areas of the City.
The Project
The total cost of these wastewater treatment plant phases, the well, and the storage facility is $13,000,000. Planned improvements include the addition of two new clarifiers, upgrades to the flow splitting structure before the clarification process, and replacement of the grit removal system at the head of the plant. Two (2) new 65-foot diameter clarifiers will be added at the existing plant in order to expand the treatment plant capacity to meet the City’s needs for the next 10 to 15 years. The grit removal upgrades will assist the staff to provide a cleaner effluent on a consistent basis. Phase two improvements will consist of re-configuring the sludge treatment system at the existing plant. The existing sludge tankage can be reconfigured to utilize a more cost-effective technology and reduce the costs of hauling sludge. New screw press equipment will provide dewatering capabilities that are currently not available with the existing process. A new water storage facility and deep well will be necessary for the south and southwest areas of the City. Growth in these areas are currently occurring and will continue to occur. In order for the City staff to better serve the City, water storage as well as a new source well will be necessary to meet growing demands in these areas.
Bond Financing
The City must make the necessary improvements to enable increasing the capacity of water and wastewater to stay ahead of the continued growth of our City. The question is not whether to implement the project but how to best finance it. Without voter approval, it will be necessary to fund the improvements through higher interest cost financing which will result in higher user fees.
Commonly Asked Questions
Q: Will there be a tax increase?
A: No
Q: How will the bonds be paid?
A: If the bonds are approved, they will be paid with
revenues collected from the users of the system. There will not be a tax increase associated with these bonds.
Q: Why is the City planning to borrow money for this project?
A: The City does not have sufficient funds on hand to finance the project.
Q: What if the improvements are not made?
A: Future growth of the City will make it difficult for the
wastewater treatment plant to handle the increased demand.
Q: How quickly will the expansion be completed?
A: Phase one improvements will include the addition of two new clarifiers, upgrades to the flow splitting structure before the clarification process, and replacement of the grit system at the head of the plant which would be constructed in 2024. Construction of phase two would begin within three years
following the completion of phase one.
Project Phases
Phase 1
Phase one improvements will include the addition of two new clarifiers, upgrades to the flow splitting structure before the clarification process, and replacement of the grit removal system at the head of the plant. Two (2) new 65-foot diameter clarifiers will be added at the existing plant in order to expand the treatment plant capacity to meet the City’s needs for the next 10 to 15 years. The grit removal upgrades will assist the staff to provide a cleaner effluent on a consistent basis.
Phase 2
Phase two improvements will consist of re-configuring the sludge treatment system at the existing plant. The existing sludge tankage can be reconfigured to utilize a more cost-effective technology and reduce the costs of hauling sludge. New screw press equipment will provide dewatering capabilities that are currently not available with the existing process.
New Water Storage & Well
A new water storage facility and deep well will be necessary for the south and southwest areas of the City. Growth in these areas is currently occurring and will continue to occur. In order for the City staff to better serve the City, water storage as well as a new source well will be necessary to meet growing demands in these areas.
Remember:
The question is not whether to implement the project but how to best finance it. Without voter approval, it will be necessary to fund the improvements through higher interest cost financing which will result in higher user fees.
A “ YES” VOTE means the City can issue revenue bonds resulting in lower cost financing.
A “NO” VOTE means the City must utilize financing resulting in higher interest cost and possibly higher user rate increases.