Russellville optimistic with funding for water tower

RUSSELLVILLE -- Despite an increase in the potential cost for replacing the town’s water tower, the Russellville Town Council and Clerk-Treasurer Martha Mandleco are still encouraged that money will be secured for the project.

The council first adopted a fair housing ordinance, which Mandleco said was necessary to obtain funds. However, Council President Cary McGaughey said later that the potential cost had increased to $1.2 million. Previously, it has been set about $500,000 to $750,000.

McGaughey stated he recently had a Zoom meeting with Troy Elless of UMAC and grant administrator Amy Miller, with the consensus being that funding was attainable. He added that the cost was contingent on whether or not the new tower would need 10 or less shutoff valves, with construction and destruction being included.

Mandleco made the point that funding could be received through the State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides low-interest loans for wastewater and drinking water projects. As such, she said the town would get a better rate than if it went through a bank.

Last month, the council approved a contract with Miller as a grant administrator for the project. She owns Cornerstone Grant Management in Greenwood, and has previously worked with the municipal governments in Amo, Coatesville, Lizton and Knightstown.

As the Russellville Water Board, the council also considered and approved a related supplemental agreement from Beam, Longest and Neff (BLN).

This was essentially to acknowledge that documentation needs have to be met to secure SRF funds and grant money. In all, more “legwork" has to be done before Russellville can qualify for these funds, potentially within the next year.

Mandleco added that an asset measurement plan had to be done, and that Larry Tippin, who has worked with the town as a certified public accountant (CPA), could get this accomplished.

Aside from this, the agreement from BLN was for services provided in investigating sites for tanks in relation to the new water tower. The fee for this was $9,400.

The council approved a contract with BLN at its regular meeting on March 18. A representative attended the meeting saying that he needed to compile preliminary data for a construction grant application.

In other news, the council approved a water loss audit for $800. Doing so is meant to help utilities identify between “physical” and “apparent" (on paper) water losses and correct them.

These audits must be validated by a certified third-party auditor and submitted to the Indiana Finance Authority. The first validated audit is due Aug. 1, with subsequent audits submitted every other year afterward.

The council also approved a proposal from the Spear Corporation to replace a chlorine scale at the town’s pumphouse, as well as purchase a rebuilt kit. The new scale itself costs $1,900.

The next regular meeting of the Russellville Town Council is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. in the Russellville Community Center.