City of Marion to hold meeting on ARPA funding for water services

The City of Marion will hold a meeting to discuss approving grant funding for water services in the city. 

A post on the city's Facebook page said that the city sought $6 million under the Fiscal Year 2022 Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund-American Rescue Plan Act-Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve the water infrastructure. 

Specifically the city sought to address "installation of new pipes, systems upgrades via the latest water technology, radio read meters, leak detection equipment, well upkeep and the revitalization of the systems that house our water," said the post. 

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is reportedly offering $1,250,000 in ARPA grants for Phase I of the project.

"In addition, the Department will plan to fund the remaining portion of 4,000,000.00 in Drinking Water SRF Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) loan with $3,613,250.00 in principle forgiveness to replace cast iron pipes and service lines," said the post. 

The city is also seeking $750,000 in matching funds for the project, though they have to develop a fiscal sustainability plan. This would include certain provisions such as raising rates at the recommendation of the Alabama Rural Water Association rate study.

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The plan would also have to ensure sustainability of improving the water infrastructure in the long-term. 

The city has to reply to ADEM by Aug. 1 on whether or not they'll take the offer. If they do, the project will be under contract by June 30 in 2024 and will take place through June 30 in 2026. 

"Please note in order for us to better our water infrastructure we must be the change that we want to see so, help us redo aged old cast iron pipe, conduct service line removal and updates, and perform other vital changes that will improve our system and allow us to put our tax resources in other needed areas and concerns within our community," said the city's post. 

The public is invited to share their opinions at a meeting on Monday, July 17 at 6 p.m. at City Hall on 123 E. Jefferson Street. 

The meeting can be accessed via Zoom with ID: 285 802 9880, passcode: 918364. Click here to see the link.

Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton has proposed a special called session on Monday, July 25 at 6 p.m. for the city council to vote on the matter.