At the August 12 meeting of the city council, the city financial advisor Mike Bubany provided an interactive spreadsheet to help the city council compare financial options in the creation of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the next five years.
The city of Preston CIP projects included in the plan include a seal coat project in 2028, city hall repairs, a new plow truck and squad car, Golfview St. repairs, office network security, pond restoration, comprehensive plan update, city share of fire truck, cemetery driveways, park trail repaving, pool parking lot repaving, and Dairy & Farm loan payback. The estimated total for these projects is about $1.2 million. Money has been set aside for some of these projects.
Preston EMS plans to replace an ambulance in 2026 and another in 2027. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton noted they hope to pay for both of the ambulances with cash.
Preston Public Utilities upgrades for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and DGR Electrical Upgrades are to be done over a period of years and will require longer term debt. Payment will likely involve utility rate increases and levy increases. Bubany noted the electrical upgrades are not general obligation debt and are considered a higher risk, therefore requiring a higher interest rate on debt.
The WWTP was built over 60 years ago and updated last in the 1980s. Throckmorton said the WWTP is the big hurdle which could cost as much as $25 million. They are hopeful to get grants to pay up to half of the cost. Throckmorton said they will talk to our legislators about a state appropriation for the WWTP. Bubany acknowledged the treatment plant will be a real challenge and suggested doing as much as possible with sewer and electric rates. The WWTP upgrade may have to be paid for over 30 years. Councilman Dean Aug commented that there will be pain, but we need the WWTP.
Bubany suggested the city not let its general fund balance fall below 50%. Councilman Steve Hall said they “can’t avoid reality.” Throckmorton asked how much should be put away each year, noting, “We need to do incremental increases in the levy. The WWTP upgrades will impact our levy.” He suggested street projects may have to be postponed as it will be challenging do a planned street project in 2029.
Hall responded, “Don’t be too hasty dismissing street projects.”
The city council approved the Capital Improvement Plan as presented.
Other Business in Brief
•The 2004 Sterling snowplow truck is due to be replaced. The city also has a 2017 International with a snowplow. A state bid quote from Western Star in the amount of $137,377 for the chassis was considered. It can be delivered on August 20. A bid from Universal Truck Equipment in the amount of $143,059 for equipment was discussed with the completed truck to be delivered in the spring of 2025. Equipment includes dump body, hoist, wing, hitch, plow, sander and hydraulics. Approval was given for the Western Star and Universal Truck Equipment bids totaling $280,509 for the new snowplow truck.
•Approval was granted to allocate some funds from street reserves to street equipment reserves to help pay for the snowplow truck.
•Approval was given to purchase shirts with the city logo for council members to wear to meetings, trainings, and community events when they are representing the city.