SL may lift growth moratorium this fall
By BRIAN WALKER
Hagadone News Network
SPIRIT LAKE — Spirit Lake's growth moratorium implemented last year could get lifted as soon as this fall after voters approved a $1.8 million bond levy for wastewater treatment improvements last month.
"We're hoping we can start construction on Pond 5 this summer," Mayor Renee Eastman said. "If we get the pond dug out, we'll need heat from the sun to lay the liner. You have to have warmth to do that because you can't in the winter.
"If we can start relatively soon, I'm hoping we can get done by this fall. That's a best-case scenario."
Eastman said that, despite pressure from developers and property owners in a hot economy and having 435 lots already platted in the city, the moratorium can't be lifted until the new pond is built.
"We are over capacity," she said, referring to the city's land application system.
The 40-year bond will increase the monthly sewer bill $2 per month to repay the construction loan. An additional $3-per-month cost for maintenance will be added this summer.
The two increases will increase the monthly sewer bills a total of $5 from $26 to $31. Some other communities in North Idaho with similar systems have rates of $45 to $50 per month.
"I'm a firm believer that we need at least one backup pump," said Eastman, who was elected last November. "To this point, this hadn't been taken care of. We haven't been maintaining the equipment the way we should."
Eastman said most residents have been understanding about the rate hikes.
"I knew the rates have been kept way too low for too long," she said, adding that the revenue hasn't kept pace with needed upgrades.
The bond will pay for a 25-million-gallon lagoon, increase efficiencies to the land application irrigation system and enhance the biological treatment process.
Eastman said the city is awaiting approval from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality before sending the project out to bid.
Planning for the future will be key, Eastman said.
"I don't like working from behind," she said. "I want to make sure we never get into this mess again."