Laddonia Mayor Gary Garnett says officials are closer to a decision on the water system, but there is more work to be done.
At the April board of aldermen meeting, the city heard from …
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Laddonia Mayor Gary Garnett says officials are closer to a decision on the water system, but there is more work to be done.
At the April board of aldermen meeting, the city heard from representatives of the Clarence Cannon water district regarding wholesale water. Garnett also sought advice from Missouri Rural Water regarding options presented by Clarence Cannon.
At issue is Laddonia’s aging water plant.
“Our plant needs a lot of work,” said Alderwoman Amber Snyder. “And our water is already expensive.”
Snyder worries that the plant’s maintenance requirements and costs will increase, and that a major repair project may be required.
There appears to be a growing consensus that the plant will need to be replaced soon. But there is a lot that remains speculative. Will a new arrangement mean higher payments? Could the decision be delayed?
Part of the problem, Garnett explains, is that there is no set date on when the plant may cease to be viable.
“It comes down to cost,” he said. “We just have to do our due diligence.
According to Garnett, the bill for a new plant would be in the range of $4 million. Hooking up to the Clarence Cannon system is less expensive at approximately $1.3 million. But there are options within these options.
Clarence Cannon presented five ways a cooperative agreement with Laddonia could work. Missouri Rural Water examined the proposal and crossed off three.
That still leaves two. And there has been some resistance from residents.
“I think it’s probably a good idea,” Snyder said of joining Clarence Cannon. “It’s just a little complicated at the moment.”
Part of the issue is bringing new board members up to speed. The April election meant turnover for the board, with Juanita Cope and Gerald Davis voted to Aldermen seats. They’ve been given documents from past discussions to review. And Garnett says he will put the matter on the next agenda.
The mayor adds that timing is an issue, as well. The board must factor in a construction process that might take two years.
“We’re going to have to pull the trigger quick,” Garnett said.
