Jefferson County commissioners on Oct. 2 held a public hearing on the Telegraph Hill–Rikers Ridge sewer improvement project and approved a motion to reallocate $30,000 of a previously committed $175,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover engineering costs.

The county announced it plans to submit an application on or about Oct. 24 to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Wastewater/Drinking Water program, with a final application due Dec. 19. County staff said the program is funded under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

The project, as described at the hearing, has an estimated total cost of about $2,200,000. The county and the Telegraph Hill–Rikers Ridge Sewer District plan to apply for roughly $750,000 from the state grant program; the county had previously committed $175,000 from ARPA funds as a local match. Commissioners voted to allow the sewer district to reallocate $30,000 of that $175,000 to engineering expenses incurred while advancing the grant application.

Midwestern consultant Mr. Wood, who identified himself as a long-time Ripley County resident and said he was hired by Midwestern to evaluate the system, described planned work that would not require large new sewer mains but would focus on hydraulic efficiency and pump-station repairs. He said planned activities include grinder pump rehabilitation for the low-pressure collection system, installing air-relief valves, plugs and flush connections, improvements to lift stations 1 and 4, and new construction and relocation of lift station 2, which he described as the district’s biggest problem.

"Based on Midwestern's evaluation, this evaluation is in the best interest of the utility and also for the customers," Mr. Wood said. He cautioned that pump-station work is necessary for regulatory compliance and said a pump station control panel and pump could cost roughly $8,000 to $10,000 plus labor.

County staff noted an anticipated sewer rate increase tied to the project and grant outcome; a spoken estimate at the hearing was about $20.25 per customer. No final rate decision was made at the meeting.

Resident Gary Moss, representing the Telegraph Hill–Rikers Ridge area, thanked commissioners for the county’s prior $175,000 ARPA commitment and requested the approved reallocation so engineering costs could be counted toward the grant match. Commissioners made and seconded the reallocation motion; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The county indicated it will hold another public hearing before submitting the final application and that staff will continue to work with OCRA on funding details and project eligibility.

The reallocation motion and the grant-application hearing were the primary actions taken on this item; commissioners did not approve construction contracts or final rate changes at the meeting.

Looking ahead, county staff said the project will proceed through grant review and, if funded, the district will prioritize pump and pump-station work to reduce overflows and meet IDEM reporting requirements.