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April 15, 2010 Front Page |
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Council Discusses Water And Sewer Rate Fees, Pipeline Replacement Funds Dwindling
by Mark Bogart
The Baker City Council adopted fees for services, permits and applications at its regular meeting on Tuesday night, but cautioned that capital improvement needs may result in further increases in the near future. The council also appointed members to the Planning Commission and Tree Board, approved a proclamation for Sexual Violence Awareness Month, and set an allocation for sidewalk improvement grants.
A fee schedule, which included an inflation adjustment of 2.8 percent for water and sewer rates, was presented by Finance Director Jeanie Dexter and approved by the council. City Manager Steve Bogart responded to questions about the need to address capital improvement costs for water and waste water systems saying, “We’re running out of latitude… and could soon draw our reserve to zero.”
Commission Hears Plans For Smith Ditch
By Eden Taylor
In their regular session on April 7, the Baker County Commissioners heard from Brett Moore of Anderson-Perry Engineering who explained options for the Smith Ditch. The historic ditch transports water from the Powder River to land owners mostly across the Freeway. The ditch caused problems for homeowners in the Spring Garden area when it broke in 2003 and sent mud and water into people’s yards and basements. The stakeholders in the ditch company received a grant to hire the engineering firm to rectify the ditch’s problems.
The 18-mile long ditch has significant water loss during transport. In fact, it is determined that 50% of the water never makes it to its destination. The stakeholders have sprinkling systems that water their fields. They say they are really good systems if they can get adequate water.
The first option would be to pipe the whole ditch. The existing right of way is 18 miles, but Moore said that the pipe could be cut down to 10 miles if a more direct route were used. Property owners are generally in favor of the pipe because it would stop the basement flooding during irrigation season.
Finalists Selected In Superintendent Search
By Eden Taylor
After three days of intense interviews of the six superintendent candidates, and more than two hours of deliberations, the 5J School Board selected three finalists for the position. The selection was made late Friday night, April 9. Those three come from three different states.
The three finalists are: Walt Wegener of San Juan Island School District at Friday Harbor, Wash., Earl Pettit of the Douglas Unified School District at Douglas, Ariz., and George Park of Garfield County School District at Panguitch, Utah.
School District Vice Chairman, Damien Yervasi, said that the selection was difficult.
“We had six highly qualified candidates,” he said.
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