City seeks $1.2 million loan

Grant money didn’t come in, and now the city seeks a loan to pay for design work on the proposed wastewater treatment plan it needs to build.

The Green River City Council voted to apply for a $1.2 million loan to go with another $1.2 million loan it already received from the state. Initially, the loan was planned to be paired with a $1.2 million mineral royalties grant from the state, but the city did not receive the grant.

Because of the economic downturn the state is experiencing, the city’s public works department decided to request permission to seek a second state loan to finish the treatment plant’s design.

With the second loan, the design process can move forward.

According to city documents, the city believes the 11 percent increase in its wastewater utility rate can pay for the loan.

A new wastewater treatment plant is a necessity for the city. Green River’s sewage lagoons have not only outlived their intended lifespan, but additional requirements from the EPA regarding phosphorus and nitrogen discharges into the river force the city to adopt a mechanical treatment system.

Mark Westenskow, city engineer, said the lagoon system in place does not address either of the two chemicals. While the city has received permit extensions from the EPA, the city will eventually face fines if it doesn’t move forward with replacing the lagoon treatment system. Also, the amount of water discharged by the city, a little more than a million gallons per day, gives them more visibility in regards to the EPA’s regulations.

“That puts us in the same category as the big guys,” Westenskow said.

Appointments

Misti Zimmerman was reappointed to the city’s tree board for a three-year term.

Michael Nelson was appointed to the city’s parks and recreation board for a three-year term.