Hallville residents vote to sell city’s sewer system
HALLSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)
Hallsville residents voted Tuesday to sell the city's sewer system.
Voters cast 133 ballots in favor of the sale and 63 against it, according to unofficial election results posted on the Boone County clerk's website.
City Administrator Kenyetta Ridgway-Sample said the city's current rates are not high enough to keep up with regular maintenance, and rates will likely increase whether or not voters approve the sale.
The current rates are $19.35 for the first 1,000 gallons and $5 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
The city also has more than $1.3 million in debt from the system after an improvement project. That debt would have been paid off by 2033 if the city had kept the system.
Hallsville began accepting proposals on Nov. 1 so it will be prepared to review proposals at its next board of alderman meeting.
"At that time the board will vote to have the system appraised. Then we will schedule public hearings where the public is invited to listen to talks with the different companies," said Ridgway-Sample.
As of Tuesday Ridgway-Sample said the city has received three proposals from Liberty Utilities for $1.7 million, Boone County Regional Sewer District for $1,000, and Missouri American Water which plans to invest $3.3 million over five years in the system.
It is not clear when the system will transition and rates will change because the city will get an appraisal of the system, which could take several months.
