McCall is at a pivotal moment in securing its water supply. McCall City Council is considering a $16.5 million bond to make necessary upgrades to its water treatment plant and construct a new storage tank to meet growing demands and ensure reliable water access for the community.

Things to know:

• Purpose - The bond funds will improve the treatment plant and build a new 2-million-gallon storage tank.
• Projected Costs - The total project cost, including interest, is estimated at around $24 million, spread over 20 years.
• Water Plant Expansion - About $6.3 million will go towards expanding the treatment plant to handle increased demand and meet regulatory standards.
• New Storage Tank - Approximately $6.9 million will be allocated to construct a new storage tank, meeting fire protection standards and accommodating peak demand.
• Bond - A water revenue bond is like a loan that a city or municipality takes out to pay for improvements or expansions to its water system, such as building new treatment plants or repairing pipelines. In simple terms, a water revenue bond helps cities fund improvements to their water systems by borrowing money and using the income generated by the water system to repay the loan over time.
• Critical Need - Aging infrastructure and rising demand require immediate upgrades to ensure water reliability.
• Financial Impact - The bond offers a manageable increase of around $1.20 per month for the average residential bill, compared to steep rate hikes of 100% over three years on current water customers.
• Environmental Compliance - Meeting strict environmental regulations and a healthy water system is essential, driving the urgency for upgrades.
• Voters -  If the proposed revenue bond measure is on the ballot in May, the decision-makers will be made up of registered voters who live inside McCall City limits.

LEARN AND FOLLOW at mccall.id.us/water2024

McCall City Council is scheduled to vote on the way forward on February 22, 2024.