Engineer lays out options and funding for rural water extension; estimated costs vary widely

County Engineer Jacob Ferrell presented plans and financing scenarios for a proposed rural water extension intended to serve several groups of residents who lack reliable well water.

Ferrell showed route options and explained system constraints: existing low-pressure dead ends, the need for an 8-inch line in some segments, and potential tie-ins to larger systems to access higher-pressure zones. He said the rough estimated construction cost for a short segment is "about 700 to $750,000," and for a larger loop the estimate is "1.5 to 1.8" million dollars, both preliminary and subject to design-stage refinement.

Funding options discussed included USDA participation, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding (Ferrell said up to $500,000 could help offset costs), and use of local LMI-designated funds if residents qualify; a $3,000 hookup fee was mentioned as a likely facility fee and could be reinvested into initial mains. Ferrell said a final project cost requires completed design, public bidding and regulatory reviews (DNR) and that realistic service timelines would likely push construction into 2027.

Board members asked about cost-sharing and the number of potential hookups; one supervisor said the board could consider contributing 10–20% of costs from LMI funds to reduce per-user charges. Ferrell recommended returning with a firm design and cost estimate so USDA and CDBG applications could proceed.