The Houston City Council heard Monday that plans to construct a new wastewater treatment facility in the community are moving forward.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources ruled Dec. 29 that the $4 million project poses no environment effects. Two alternatives for the project, along with operation and maintenance were evaluated, according to officials at the department’s water protection program.
In June, Houston voters approved a $3.5 million bond issue to pay for a new wastewater treatment plant. They also OK’d a 20-year extension to a quarter-cent utility tax already on the books that was expected to expire in July 2010. Other targeted funding includes a $500,000 rural sewer grant.
Sutton told the council that engineers also are watching developments with a federal stimulus package that could benefit the Houston project.
The city began studying the capital outlay after it was apparent that the current 1970s facility could not meet effluent standards set to go into effect.
In other matters, members:
-Opted out of participating in a Missouri green sales tax promotion April 19-25 that would give breaks to purchasers of energy star certified appliances. The first $1,500 will be exempt from state sales tax, but the local sales tax will remain on the books, the council decided.
Under the law, state income tax deductions of up to $1,000 for home energy audits and their implementation are included.
-Heard that the city will be represented Thursday (today) at a regional meeting at West Plains to assess priorities for the state’s transportation needs. The Missouri Transportation Alliance will meet from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the West Plains Public Library community room.