The City of Two Rivers will have to go in another direction to help pay for replacing private lead service lines in the city.
During their work session meeting Monday night (July 29th), Public Works Director Matt Heckenlaible explained to the council that the city was going to borrow Lead Service Line funds from the Wisconsin DNR and pay it back through their own American Rescue Plan (ARPA) money.
Now, that can’t happen.
Heckenlaible explained four different options the city could pursue.
City Manager Greg Buckley explained to the council that the city will meet with some Manitowoc County representatives later today (July 30th) to reconsider paying for street restoration.
“It is drawing funds from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act dollars,” he explained. “The county matching ARPA dollars that Manitowoc County has generously been made available hope to assist in lead lateral replacement.”
He also noted, “Under these contracts, we’ll continue providing homeowners with a $2,500 grant or credit toward that private side latera replacement.”
The council voted to allow the city to use matching county and city ARPA funds while also going through the Safe Drinking Water Loan program through the DNR to replace the lines.
The city has enough to address about 185 lines out of 300 private lines that need to be done.
The rest would be given through the loan program.
Heckenlaible discussed other options, but they don’t seem as feasible as the option the council approved.
City Manager Greg Buckley explained to the council that the city will meet with some Manitowoc County representatives later today (July 30th) to reconsider paying for street restoration.
Two Rivers will also have to pay back some of the money through their debt service levy.
The city needs to replace about 1,800 lead service lines.
Heckenlaible said in June that the city wants to replace about 150 this year and next.
