Monett secures $4.5 million state loan to expand wastewater plant; city says rates won't rise

Monett has secured a $4.5 million loan from the State Revolving Fund administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to expand capacity at its wastewater treatment plant, City Administrator Mickey Ary said. "We've uh secured a loan through the state revolving fund that's uh funded through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources," Ary said on site.

The upgrades are intended to increase the plant's capacity to accommodate growth in the city. "This will allow us to have more capacity at our wastewater plant, which is a good thing. It will help us to bring growth to the city," Ary said, describing the project as necessary infrastructure investment.

Ary provided the project cost and funding details: he described the work as a $4.5 million project financed with the state loan program. He also said that "the water and sewer rates have already been adjusted, so the rates aren't going up," indicating the city has accounted for the upgrades in current utility rates rather than seeking a new rate increase.

The announcement did not include a construction timeline, loan terms, repayment schedule or contractor names. Those details were not specified in the recorded remarks. Ary closed by thanking residents for supporting growth and thanking plant staff for their day-to-day operations: "I thank the staff that oversees this wastewater plant every single day for the services that we provide here in Monett."

Next steps and accountability: Ary's remarks indicate funding is in place. The transcript does not record a formal council vote, a public hearing on the loan or a detailed implementation schedule; those items were not specified in the remarks and would appear in official council minutes or staff reports if available.