(Okoboji)– The Okoboji City Council Monday evening voted to set December 8th as the date for a public hearing on the proposed issuance of some general obligation bonds. The council reviewed two options and settled on one that would split a proposal to refinance some existing debt and issue not to exceed $3,600,000 in new debt for the Lakeshore Drive project.
A proposed increase in water rates was also a topic of discussion during Monday evening’s meeting. Central Water, which supplies water to the cities of Arnolds Park and Okoboji, is increasing the rate it charges the cities from $3.50 per thousand gallons currently to $4.00. The increase was originally scheduled to go into affect this coming January 1st. However City Administrator Michael Meyers says a review of a 28E agreement turned up a clause that states any change in rates can only be effective on July 1st. He says that will give the city more time to decide on how much of an increase should be passed on to residents…
“I’m advocating that the Finance Committee meet and consider looking at sort of our underground infrastructure for our water, our long term plans and projects for water, as well as Central Water’s long term plans because we’re tied to their capital projects as well.”
Councilman Walter Mendenhall said consideration should also be given to replace mains along Lakeshore Drive at the same time the road is being re-built…
“As difficult financially as it might be, maybe this is the time. You don’t want to start tearing up the road and three or four or five years, unless we have an easement that the water piping could go along an easement along side Lakeshore Drive. I just think the whole has to be really taken a step back and looked at.”
The council directed the city staff to put together a prioritized list of infrastructure in need of replacement and bring it to the city’s Finance Committee for review and a recommendation to the City Council.
