| State and City of Ontario Resolve Waste Treatment Issues |
|
|
 |
|
|
STATE AND CITY OF ONTARIO RESOLVE WASTE TREATMENT ISSUES
The City of Ontario and the Oregon Department of Corrections continued discussions Tuesday, June 3, and agreed on solutions to waste treatment issues at Snake River Correctional Institution. At the heart of the discussions was whether or not the expanded state prison would use the city sewer system or build and operate a treatment facility of its own.
A bonus of the proposed agreement are two five percent rate reductions for all sewer users, including private residences, on July 1, 1998 and July 1, 1999 respectively. Additionally the city and the department agreed that future rate reductions may be possible as the city evaluates its cash reserves.
Director David S. Cook and Deputy Director Benjamin de Haan of the Department of Corrections traveled to Ontario with the express goal of reaching a mutually satisfactory compromise with the city. The city´s representatives, including City Manager Hal Schilling and City Attorney Mike Franell, had a similar agenda: to ensure that best interests of the citizens of the region were met. Both parties agreed up front that consolidation of sewer services made social and environmental sense. The biggest issues to be resolved were financial.
In the agreement reached between the city and the department, the parties apportioned an appropriate percentage of costs to the state for the sewer system upgrade needed to handle waste from an additional 2350 inmates at the prison. Furthermore, an agreement was reached regarding assessments and fees for ongoing waste treatment services. The city provided the department adequate assurances that the capital improvements would be completed by the time the sewer capacity would be needed according to the prison´s construction schedule.
The Department of Corrections agreed in principle to pay up front approximately $1.34 million for upgrades to the Ontario wastewater treatment facility in addition to monthly sewer user fees depending on measured use and at the same rate as residential users.
The city and the department are mutually satisfied with the agreement. In working to reach a compromise the particular assistance of Senator Eugene Timms, Representative Denny Jones, and Judge Frank Yraguen were noted.
last revision 2-28-2000 peg cook
|
|
|
|
