Bond back on the ballot for Bayview

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

BAYVIEW — The Bayview Water and Sewer District will ask voters to pass a bond proposal for water improvements in the May 21 election after another measure failed last November.

The district, which includes 462 water hookups, is seeking water revenue bonds of up to $2.15 million for a new storage tank, transmission lines, distribution mains and maintenance projects.

"We have had many meetings to come to a decision to move forward with this project," said Sharon Meyer, district chairwoman.

If approved with a simple majority vote (50 percent, plus one), the bond would increase rates from $24 per month for the first 5,000 gallons to up to $40.

November's proposal was defeated with 112 voters (37 percent) in favor and 191 opposed.

The difference between the two proposals is that $500,000 for water meter replacements has been cut for the upcoming election.

"That seemed to be the needling point," Meyer said of the water meters.

Another debated item was whether to replace the 1942 tank at Farragut State Park with a new one on the north side of Bayview that's estimated to cost $1 million or reline the old one.

"We don't want to reline a tank that's 77 years old," Meyer said.

The district estimates that between 4,000 and 6,000 feet of pipes are leaking in the system, which also raises water quality concerns.

Meyer said the improvements will enhance pressure and fire flows and reduce the estimated 50 million-gallon-per-year water loss.

The district's board on Wednesday night unanimously voted to place the bond proposal on the ballot.

Meyer said community brainstorming sessions for the new proposal started in January.

The projected terms of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality loan to fund the improvements is 30 years with a 1.75 percent interest rate.

The total amount to be repaid over the life of the proposed water revenue bonds, principal and interest, is estimated to be $2.77 million.

Meyer calls the terms "very favorable."

"This is our last opportunity to take advantage of the IDEQ funds which were allocated last year and expire June 30," Meyer said. "We have been also fortunate enough to have about 10 percent in what is referred to as a grant, or loan forgiveness. Our time is now to get this passed so we can proceed with needed repairs of this old system."

If the proposal is approved, the new rates wouldn't go into effect until 2020 when construction would start.