Discouraging news for the City of Fountain, as low pH numbers continue to show up during wastewater treatment plant testing. Having worked for several years to establish and implement a plan to bring its plant back into compliance with the state, the news is discouraging. Public Works, working with Mike Morris, of MMS Environmental, has been able to maintain compliance, but its been at the expense at of having to utilize more microseed “bugs” to keep pH levels even.
At the March 4 council meeting, City Engineer Craig Britton, of Widseth Smith Nolting, was on hand to discuss recent reviews and potential options. “It’s killing the bugs and we’re having to use more chemicals. It’s more expense than what there should be,” noted Britton. “It’s been increasing in the last few months. We were able to get the plant back into compliance, but we’re spending more money on operations than we needed to.”
The target goal for pH levels is six and a half to seven and a half. At five and a half, plants start to see issues. For Fountain, recent readings have seen some fours and a low one and a half. MMS Environmental will be sampling around the city to eliminate possible sources. Testing has confirmed that the handheld pH meter is calibrated correctly. There’s been no documentation to indicate that particular times of day are an issue. Daily discharge records are indicating good pH levels, so pinpointing the trouble spot is key. All new equipment, including the pH and oxygen meters, are in and the PointWatch remote system has arrived at the plant. “We’re doing more investigation trying to figure out where it’s at.”
MMS Environmental has been in contact with Valley Design and has been invited by the company to sample directly at the tanks, to see if any issues can be isolated to any of the buildings. The city had discussed putting in a manhole for sampling at the company, but new information on a second map shows the lines may not go to the same place. “We think they may connect to city lines in different places.
“We need more investigation before putting a manhole in [an estimated $8,000 cost],” said Mayor Jim Schott. “We might need two or three, depending on what’s found.”
“We’re investigating,” concluded Britton. “We’re not saying that’s the source, but we’re looking throughout town to see where it might be.”
In other news, the city received a clean audit from Smith Schafer & Associates Audit. Auditor Andrew Forliti was present at the meeting to review the findings.
The total 2019 tax levy, just under $188,000, comprised 40.9% of all governmental revenue. Local Government Aid accounted for just under 24% at $72,000. It’s expected to increase to $78,000 for 2021. “It hasn’t changed a lot in the last eight years; relying more on the taxpayers than the state for expenditures. You’ve had to increase the levy just to keep pace with costs,” noted Forliti.
The General Fund budget to actual indicated the city was $1,300 over budget for 2019. “You’re pretty much right on. Very well done,” he added. The areas of overage were in Planning and Zoning, as well as Public Works. The General Fund unassigned was noted as healthy. One outstanding bond, of $524,000, remains and will be paid off in 2029.
The Sewer Fund is seeing good health since the city increased rates in June of 2018. “You’ve seen your first full year, since raising rates. You’re headed in the right direction,” noted Forliti. The Water fund is also covering operating expenses and has started adding back cash reserves.
The council approved a new one-year Prosecutor Agreement with Fillmore County Attorney Brett Corson, beginning April 1, 2020. All terms in the contract remain the same as in 2019. These include hourly rate of $110 per hour for attorney services and $85 per hour for paralegal services. All will be billed on a case by case basis.
Lastly, Sara Sturgis, of the Fillmore County Historical Society, was present to introduce herself to the council. Sturgis is sharing weekly duties with Bretta Grabau. These include attending Root River Trail Towns meetings, working to highlight the museum as a tourism destination, and overseeing the bike loan program. Sturgis indicated several new programs are coming up and invited the community to check out the offerings.
“She and Bretta have really changed that museum a lot,” stated Councilor Ron Reisner, who has previously served on the Historical Society Board, noted Sturgis. “They’ve really done a bang-up job.”
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m., at City Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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