Humboldt: Costly street repairs needed

By

Local News

January 15, 2019 - 10:08 AM

HUMBOLDT — Thoroughfares across town are in need of attention, Humboldt council members learned at their meeting Monday night.

But Cole Herder, city administrator, is at a loss for how to fund their repairs. The city lacks sufficient reserves to make much of a dent with the only sources of possible revenue from an increase in the Humboldt’s sales tax, already 9.5 percent and highest in Allen County, or general obligation bonds which would be paid through property taxes.

Another avenue could be a Community Development Block Grant, but the competition is stiff, Herder said, and would most likely require a 50-percent match.

“I’ve been thinking about streets constantly for four years,” said Herder, minutes after his contract was unanimously extended to Jan. 31, 2121, following a 20-minute executive session.

To chip-and-seal would cost $2,500 per block, he said. If asphalt were used, the city would be looking at about $7 million; with concrete, $10 million. The advantage of concrete would be its staying power; no repairs of consequence would be expected for 40 years.

To get a better handle on the magnitude of street work needed, Herder was authorized to examine the credentials of engineering firms that could give council members options for repairs, what cost would be and where money to meet those costs might be found.

Whatever happens, it isn’t going to come on the quick.

The current $5.5 million sewer improvement project — mandated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment — will be completed in late August. The city won a $500,000 grant for the sewer project with $5 million coming from a KDHE loan that will be paid through revenue from higher sewer rates.

Another project waiting in the wings is repair to the water plant and a upgrade of water lines estimated at $13 million.

 

MEANWHILE, construction of a new ambulance station in Humboldt took a major step forward. Herder said members of the Christian Church had agreed to give Allen County a double lot, on the north of Osage Street between Eighth and Ninth. The two lots have 100 feet of frontage, which would be more than ample for the ambulance station, planned for 60 feet wide and 40 feet deep.

Herder said Iola Administrator Sid Fleming and EMS officials signed off on the site. Iola operates county ambulances.

 

IN OTHER news, council members:

— Extended Humboldt’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, which gives property tax rebates for improvements to residences (of $3,000 or more) and commercial property (of $5,000 or more), for another three years until Jan. 31, 2022. Property owners get rebates for six years and then are responsible for property taxes at 20 percent increments until 100 percent is achieved after the 10th year. Taxes must be paid before being rebated, less 5 percent the county retains for administration.

Related