SEELEY LAKE - Polson is developing a $17.6 million sewer upgrade after the EPA came in and levied a $40,000 fine on the district for exceeding its wastewater discharge limits. Sewer bills will jump from $20 per month to $60, and that’s for 2,000 residents.
The State of Montana loaned Polson $14.6 million. Lincoln is upgrading its two lift stations at a cost of $300,000 per station and that sewer station serves about 400 users. That’s after 15 years of use. Their sewer rate increase will depend on how much money it can get from the state. Lincoln residents currently pay about $25 per month per household.
Seeley Lake Sewer District residents have been assured by their sewer board the Seeley project is “at the top of the list” and will definitely receive millions in grant and loan money from the State of Montana for building sub-districts two, three and four. With all the sewer projects out there waiting to be funded, how can we be sure?
Coal tax revenues which we use in Montana to fund infrastructure projects have dropped by nearly half in the past few years and will continue to drop as the nation shifts to renewable energy and natural gas supplies. And the Federal Government under President Donald Trump is drastically cutting and has just created a $75 million shortfall in Montana’s budget which has forced Governor Steve Bullock to cutback nearly every department budget in Helena.
Finally, any growth or expansion in Seeley precipitated by the proposed sewer will force a multi-million dollar upgrade in the Seeley Lake Water system. The system is currently near maximum output capacity and any community growth will force water customers to pay more than the $60-per-month they are already paying for residential service every month.
Some facts to digest as we discuss the nearly $20 million Seeley Lake Sewer proposal which will serve 400 low and middle income users. The Sewer District Board must be honest and give us a complete financial picture of its proposal before it demands we pay.
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