All measures pass in Tuesday election

While the election held Tuesday might not have had a major turnout, there were some major issues on some of the area ballots.

City of Essex

First among the three issues was a proposal by the City of Essex that would allow them to borrow $3,000,000 for water and sewer improvements within the city.

The issue passed by a 64-18 margin.

The revenue bond passed will be used for acquiring land, expanding the city's water and sewer system and making improvements as required, but not limited to, those recommended by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

City officials were 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".

Richland Schools

Another bond issue on the ballot yesterday involved the Richland School District.

Richland Schools will proceed with a number of energy efficiency improvements to their schools after the passing Tuesday of a $750,000 bond issue.

The bond issue needed a 4/7 majority vote to grant the district to capitalize on federal stimulus monies available through the Qualified School Construction Bond Program (QSCB). The proposal passed with 132 voting in favor of the issue and 40 opposed.

The general obligation bond issue of $750,000 is the largest amount the district can repay without increasing their debit service fund levy.

According to Richland Schools Supt. Mike Kiehne, the current rate will be extended by eight years not increased as a result of the bond issue's success.

Improvements within the district include the installation of ceiling insulation upgrades, new tile flooring to replace the old asbestos flooring (if funding allows), the installation of individually controlled heating systems in a number of classrooms, the installation of studded, insulated walls with modern high efficiency windows and several electrical and technological capability upgrades.

City of Bernie

Also on the ballot was a bond issue for the City of Bernie. The issue passed 126-19.

Bernie officials were seeking approval of issuing up to $5 million in revenue bonds for the construction of new sewer treatment plant. Marvin Nesbit, an engineer with Schultz and Summers Engineering, told the board at their July meeting that the current treatment facility is "literally falling apart".

It would be a waste of the city's money to try to bring it up to compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations, Nesbit stated.

The project is estimated to cost $2.5 to $3 million, but the vote allows the city to use revenue produced from the bonds for both water and sewer improvements, if needed, Nesbitt said. Kennedy, Kennedy, Robbins and Yarbro, LC. in Poplar Bluff was retained to prepare necessary legal documents to put the issue before the voters.

The next phase of development will be for the Board of Aldermen to meet with the engineers to determine the type of sewer treatment plant to be constructed. Two options as outlined by Nesbitt include a lagoon system or a non-discharge system.