Essex voters to face two bond issues

The revenue bond to be voted on by Essex voters will be used for acquiring land, expanding the city's water and sewer system and make improvements as required by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

City officials are not asking for a tax increase to pay for the revenue bonds, but rather the bonds are to be "payable solely from the revenue derived by the city from the operation of its combined waterworks and sewage system, including all future extensions and improvements."

Susan Harris, city clerk, said the city's sewer system does not meet DNR guidelines, and city officials are moving to correct the problems in the sewage treatment facility. The city is working with Smith and Company of Poplar Bluff on the engineering for the project.

Harris said the city is in the process of installing user water meters. She continued that many users do not have water meters and are billed for water at the $13.02 minimum. The minimum sewer bill in Essex is $9. She added that installation of the water meters is necessary to make application for funding for the project.

Harris said the city intends to apply for low-interest loans from USDA Rural Development. The loans would be repaid through the sale of the bonds if approved by voters, Harris said. The water and sewer rates will be increased to pay for these improvements, but Harris explained that city officials and the engineering firm have not yet determined the amount of the increase.

A town meeting has been set for Oct. 15, 2009 at the Harvest Assembly Church in Essex beginning at 7 p.m. City officials and representatives of the engineering firm hope to have more details for the public at that time and field questions about the proposed improvements.

"If we don't address the issues cited by the Department of Natural Resources," Harris explained, "then they can begin levying fines on the city for being out of compliance."

The Richland School District issue is separate from that in Essex. The district is seeking to pass a bond issue for building improvements. The money is to be used for "completing energy efficiency improvements and replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at the high school, library, elementary music and art rooms" and to "complete other remodeling and repair improvements to school facilities."

The general obligation bond issue of $750,000 is the largest amount the Richland School District can repay without increasing their current debt service fund levy. Passage of the bond issue will not grant a tax increase but rather extend by approximately eight years the current rate.

The issue will be required to pass by a 4/7 majority vote to give the district the ability to capitalize on federal stimulus monies available through a program called the Qualified School Construction Bond Program (QSCB), according to Superintendent Mike Kiehne.

The polling place for the city of Essex special election will be at Essex City Hall for both Wards 1 and 2. The polling place for school district voters in rural Bloomfield, Essex and rural Essex, Grayridge, rural Dexter and Vinson will be the Essex City Hall. The polling place will be open Nov. 3 from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.