City council rejects multi-million dollar sewer extension west of Columbia

The city council here rejected a multi-million dollar extension of its sewer system west of town.

A 3-3 vote turned down the $4.3 million Henderson Branch sewer line running west of the Perche Creek to an area just northwest of the Midway exit of Interstate 70. The extension also involved an annexation agreement to bring two major businesses – MidwayUSA and Midway Travel Plaza – into the city limits.

The often-debated project was first proposed as part of the 2013 sewer bond issue that voters approved. While city leaders estimated the extension would cost $2.6 million then, the price tag ballooned due to difficulties in building along the creek, according to city utility staff.

Council members cited concerns with the increased price tag and expansion of the city limits west. Councilman Ian Thomas, a critic of the project, said the city does not gain enough tax revenue from growing the city limits compared to what it costs to provide services.

Councilman Clyde Ruffin was absent from the meeting.