If the Allen County Regional Airport were to tap into the City of Iola’s sewer system, the county would have to agree to allow the city to annex the property.
County commissioners weren’t keen on the idea, so they’re going to explore other options.
City Councilman Carl Slaugh met with commissioners on Tuesday to talk about the city’s codes regarding the sewer system. If a property owner wants to tap into the city’s sewer system, they must agree to be voluntarily annexed into the city.
The annexation requirement is fairly standard practice, City Administrator Matt Rehder said. It’s also typical to have an airport annexed by a city even though it may be located a few miles outside city limits, in what Rehder called “an island annexation.”
If the airport were to be annexed, the city could levy property and sales taxes. It also would qualify under Iola’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program, which means any future developments would qualify for a property tax rebate.
“We made an offer to sit down and talk to commissioners, but it appears they don’t want to annex,” Rehder said.
The code also requires the airport to be platted, which it is not.
Chairman Jerry Daniels said to do so would require a survey of the land and additional expenses.
“That sort of disqualifies the city. We’d like to give them the sewer revenue, but there may be a lot of additional costs so we’re going to look at other options,” Daniels said.
There are four other sewer systems that could meet their needs, but all are smaller and farther away than Iola’s.
Commissioners are working to upgrade infrastructure at the airport, and got a $3 million grant to do so. The county must invest another $1 million or so in matching funds; commissioners are working with Rural Water District No. 8 to upgrade water systems at the airport, using money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to pay for it.
The grant will allow the county to focus on improvements to water and sewer systems.
A study by BG Consultants found it could cost $12 – $15 million for the first phase of infrastructure improvements, which would focus on developing about 105 acres west of the airport.
The report initially identified the City of Iola’s sewer system as the most likely option.
Commissioners on Tuesday approved an addendum to the contract with BG Consultants, allowing up to $12,000 for engineers to study alternative sewer systems.
