Nampa to Seek Loan for Wastewater Improvements Print Font Size

Page 1 of 6

Home News Sports Opinion You Blogs Features Entertainment Obituaries

Report

Home Members

Thanks for visiting IdahoPress.com. You're entitled to view 5 free articles every 30 days. Then, if you enjoy our site and want full access, we'll ask you to purchase 4 Remaining an affordable subscription. Nampa to seek loan for wastewater improvements Print Font Size:

Story Comments

Posted: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 12:01 am | Updated: 12:15 am, Tue Oct 30, 2012.

0 comments

Posted on October 30, 2012 NAMPA — The City by Torrie Cope Council unanimously approved the next step in a possible funding solution for the first phase of improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment facility during a special meeting Monday afternoon.

Related Audio Clips Now a judge will determine if the city can pursue an approximately $17 million loan to

Account Contact Us Get Social with us Customer Service Weather: Clear 55°

http://www.idahopress.com/members/nampa-to-seek-loan-for-wastewater-improvements/... 10/30/2012 Page 2 of 6

help fund the first phase of the federally- Nampa special city council meeting Oct. mandated improvements. 29 The city is seeking a state revolving funds (SRF) loan from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ). If the city is approved for the loan, it would finance approximately $17 million of the estimated $28 million-first phase of the project.

The Council passed a resolution Monday that authorized the city to pursue the funding. The resolution also authorized the filing of a petition for judicial confirmation. The city attorney will file the petition and a judge will determine if the city has the authority to enter into a SRF loan agreement with IDEQ.

If a judge grants approval, the city has until Jan. 1, 2013 to submit an application to IDEQ. It is possible that the IDEQ will not 5,933 people like approve the city for the loan and the city will have to determine another route for funding.

Nampa must improve its wastewater treatment facility to meet Environmental Protection Agency regulations, particularly with new limits on phosphorus. The Council has discussed funding methods at past meetings for the project including using cash or pursuing a bond.

If the city were to use cash it would save money on interest, but it would increase wastewater rates for Nampa’s residents and businesses by about 70 percent. Council We're members expressed concern at the last council meeting about what that increase would do to residents and to businesses’ bottom lines.

The SRF loan will save the city about $7.5 million in interest compared to a bond. Wastewater rates will still be increased about 30 percent for customers with the loan option to cover the remaining $11 million cost of the improvements.

There was little discussion on the resolution at the special meeting that lasted about 10 minutes. Council member Bob Henry said that while he was voting in favor of the resolution, he regretted that the Council would not be able to hear from the community about its preferences due to the time constraints of the loan process — three people spoke in favor of the loan and none spoke in opposition during a public hearing on the issue Oct. 15. Account Contact Us Get Social with us Customer Service Weather: Clear 55°

http://www.idahopress.com/members/nampa-to-seek-loan-for-wastewater-improvements/... 10/30/2012 Page 3 of 6

Henry also wondered if it would be better to pay cash for this first phase of the improvements since the city will have more large costs coming up on the project that may require another bond.

“It’s not the ideal situation but considering the time restraints I’m going to support the motion,” he said.

The city received a letter Aug. 28 from IDEQ about the loan opportunity. The timing of the letter made it impossible for the city to put the issue in front of voters for the November 2012 election, which is why it must now seek judicial approval.

Mayor Tom Dale was unable to attend due to a previous engagement, so Council President Martin Thorne led the meeting Monday. FRONT PAGES

Unlimited access The Idaho Press-Tribune allows readers to view only 5 members access articles for free each month. To make sure you have unlimited access to the best local news, purchase a digital subscription. Click here for more information .

Feeling left out? Don't miss out on breaking news, traffic and weather alerts, great deals, and chances to win great prizes! Get our daily e-newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

First name: Email Address: ONLINE POLL

Which Last name: sch Sign up now! at the school program?

More about Nampa City Council

■ ARTICLE : Urban renewal will buy land from Nampa ■ ARTICLE : Civic agenda ■ ARTICLE : City: Create downtown Nampa parking at vacant ice rink lot ■ ARTICLE : Nampa buys downtown property for $385,000 ■ ARTICLE : Nampa City Council meets to sign library land contracts

Account Contact Us Get Social with us Customer Service Weather: Clear 55°

http://www.idahopress.com/members/nampa-to-seek-loan-for-wastewater-improvements/... 10/30/2012 Page 4 of 6

Discuss Print Tweets

Posted in Members , Local on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 12:01 am. Updated: 12:15 am. | Tags: Wastewater Improvements , Nampa City Council , Department Of Environmental Quality , Loan , Wastewater Treatm ent Faci In misuse of funds trial, John money from Nampa contract was his income. bit.ly/XUaArm IdahoPress.com invites you to take part in the community conversation. But those who don't play nice may be uninvited. Don't post comments that are off topic, defamatory, libelous, obscene, racist, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. We may remove any comment for any reason or no reason. We encourage you to report abuse, but the decision to delete is ours. Commenters have no expectation of privacy and may be held accountable for their comments. AP Interactive: Storm surge, Comments are opinions of the author only, and do not reflect the opinions or views of Idaho Press- wake of destruction Tribune. Please view our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for further details...

You might like: Former prosecutor John Bujak says against him were motivated by politics. What do you think? Expand

Tuesday's front page: Missing Nampa Williams-Rhodes One valuable Skydiver gets Coast, group must disclose donors, Bujak teen Joanna has been a spark Panda: Sandoval is ready for bid to blames Noteboom now for BSU World Series MVP break sound barrier considered a (this site) (this site) (this site) fugitive - Idaho Press-Tribune: Local (this site) Sandy hits landfall in southern [?] according to the National Hurricane Center.

Similar Stories Most Read

• Hidden sugar shocker: Fructose • Two Canyon County deputies shot, one in • Kim leads Broncos at Kiawah Island serious condition • Vandals lose in five games • BSU not taking Wyoming lightly • El huracán Sandy llega a Cuba • Business notifications • Once muertos por huracán Sandy, dice • NNU beats U. of Mary in final home game of season gobierno cubano • Wyoming coach suspended for Saturday’s game against BSU

Account Contact Us Get Social with us Customer Service Weather: Clear 55°

http://www.idahopress.com/members/nampa-to-seek-loan-for-wastewater-improvements/... 10/30/2012 Page 5 of 6

Welcome to the discussion.

Paid DistributionScreen Name or Email Or, use your linked account: How a new credit facebook card affects your credit score (Credit Cards.Passwordcom) google

Forgot? yahoo

Need an account? Create one now.

SERVICES PIONEER NEWSPAPERS SPECIAL REPORT

• About the Press- • Pioneer Newspapers Tribune • Emmett Messenger- Schools chief at • Contact us Index center of heated • Subscribe • Idaho State Journal • Advertise • Bozeman Daily debate • Terms of Service Chronicle • Privacy Policy • Skagit Valley Herald As the nation enters the final days of a hotly- ADDRESS • Herald Journal contested presidential race, the most debated ballot • Herald and News issues in Idaho are the state’s three education Idaho Press-Tribune • Standard Journal overhaul propositions. 1618 N. Midland Blvd. • Ellensburg Daily Updated: October 28 | Comments (2) Nampa, ID 83652 Record Phone: 208-467-9251 • Teton Valley News • Belgrade News • Lone Peak Lookout • West Yellowstone Account Contact Us GetNews Social with us Customer Service Weather: Clear 55°

http://www.idahopress.com/members/nampa-to-seek-loan-for-wastewater-improvements/... 10/30/2012 Page 6 of 6

Mobile/Tablet Site Download our iOS app Download our Android app Find us on Facebook

Account Contact Us Get Social with us Customer Service Weather: Clear 55°

http://www.idahopress.com/members/nampa-to-seek-loan-for-wastewater-improvements/... 10/30/2012