The Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners approved a request from the Town of Wanette for $800,000 of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) monies to replace water lines.
Wanette has been experiencing a lot of issues with the water recently. The letter submitted by Wanette Mayor Nathan Gregory said, “Most of the existing lines are outdated and degraded steel, and require constant repair. These conditions have caused several shutdowns of our system, creating difficulties for our residents and creating possible health hazards due to contaminants entering the broken water lines. This project will ensure that our water distribution system meets all current infrastructure and health requirements.
David Floyd with Floyd & Driver Public Finance Law reviewed the application and it was determined that the proposal is an approved use of the County’s ARPA funds under the infrastructure category. He recommended the amount, not exceed $800,000, be encumbered immediately. He also recommended no funds should be expended until the requestor has provided the required reporting information, including but not limited to purchase orders and proof of delivery with invoices received by the Requestor.
The board also approved a floodplain permit, pending payment, for a tower for Branch Communications during its meeting Monday, Oct. 31.
Emergency Management Director Chad Larman said the company had completed all of the Branch representative Troy Williams said piers would be poured to raise the platform above the BSE (Base Flood Elevation) level. Williams and Larman both said fill could not be brought in to the floodplain.
A tort claim to replace a (digital) windshield for Chad Robertson was also approved by the Commissioners in the amount of $603.75.
Two items for the Sheriff’s Office were approved. The Board approved payment for OffenderWatch in the amount of $2,575 and approved the surplus declaration of a 2010 black Tahoe.
Although, it was business as usual, that did not deter some county workers from enjoying the holiday and dressing up for Halloween.
The board will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Nov. 7, at 9 am at 14101 Acme Road.
