Commission authorizes notice to seek rural-development funding for Laurel Canyon sewer project

Geary County commissioners authorized staff to publish a notice indicating the county intends to apply for Rural Development assistance for Sewer No. 4, a project serving the Laurel Canyon area.

Public works administrator Jeremy Myers briefed the commission on the funding pathway, describing it as a two-part process involving the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for construction loans and U.S. Rural Development for longer-term financing and potential loan forgiveness. "KDHE is kind of the construction loan portion of it. Then after construction is completed, it rolls over to Rural Development," Myers said, explaining that Rural Development loans may be extended up to 40 years.

With the commission's approval, staff will publish the required newspaper notice and gather documentation to submit to Rural Development. The funding model intends to set user fees based on state averages after construction to help keep rates affordable for customers, Myers said.

Commissioners moved and approved the application and posting, enabling staff to proceed with the next steps in the funding process.