Council authorizes staff to seek state and federal funding for new wastewater treatment facility

City staff explained the need for a new wastewater treatment facility to address recent growth (cited 12% growth rate) and said preliminary estimates for the full replacement and associated work are approximately $140 million. Allison Abel asked for authorization to pursue Kansas Water Office planning ($1M) and implementation ($8M) grants and to continue seeking federal loans and appropriations (WIFIA, congressional funding) to reduce the borrowing burden.

Council authorized staff to submit the grant applications and to explore other funding avenues, including congressional appropriations and WIFIA loans. Staff noted programmatic requirements tied to federal funding (Build America/Buy America rules and prevailing wage requirements) will increase planning complexity and design work. Council voted 5-0 to authorize the applications.