Coldwater council puts infrastructure replacement millage on Nov. 5 ballot

COLDWATER — The City Council approved a resolution on Monday night to put on the Nov. 5 ballot a $5.1 million infrastructure bond issue.

A 1.52 millage repayable over 11 years would fund repairs and reconstruction of public streets, utilities, sidewalks, and Randall Plaza, the one remaining downtown parking lot that needs to be rebuilt.

With the $5 million bond passed by voters in 2014 repaid this year, the voters could replace the current 1-mill levy with the 1.52-mill levy.

The city refinanced the 2014 original 1.98 mill tax to the lower rate as interest rates dropped.

City Manager Keith Baker said the city can't afford the necessary infrastructure projects without the additional revenue.

Baker's plan would use $2.5 million each for streets and parking.

Councilwoman Emily Rissman questioned the parking lot work. She said her First Ward constituents said, "Fix the roads."

Baker proposed using $1 million from the city general fund balance revenues to supplement an expanded street mill and repaving program.

Mayor Tom Kramer said the city council would decide where to use the bond revenues if voters approve it.

To the south of the municipal building north of U.S. 12, the Randall parking lot is the largest of the city's downtown parking lots. It is the only one that has yet to be rebuilt over the last 10 years.

The city used 2014 bond funds to rebuild two other downtown lots.

Chuck Wood, who, along with his wife, owns Jeannie's Diner, which has its rear entrance on Randall, wanted to ensure that all work was done quickly to minimize business disruption.

Utility replacement and upgrades are part of the parking lot plan.

Wood added installing larger water connections now in the front on U.S. 12 to the rear would allow for sprinklers and second-floor apartment development.

Wood said three-phase electrical service could attract new businesses to that block, such as a bakery that was looking at buildings.

Coldwater receives state Gas Tax Act 51 funds, but Baker said, "There is never enough revenue to address all necessary repairs."

The city will receive $1.9 million in road and street funds for the 2024-25 fiscal year but budgeted $2 million for maintenance and repairs.

Streets targeted for work from bond revenues include West and East Pearl, N. Morse Street between US-12 and Smith Street, and N. Polk Street between US-12 and Hatch Avenue.

If voters approve, work will start next summer and continue over two years.

City Finance Director Tom Eldridge told the council that the current average home taxable value in the city is $50,000. That is $50 a year for the current expiring bond issue. The passage of the new bond millage would increase payment by $25 to $75 per year.

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The council needed to act by Aug. 12 for the issue to go on the Nov. 5 general election.

Councilman Randall Hazelbaker said, "It's up to the voters."

— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater council puts infrastructure replacement millage on Nov. 5 ballot