Watseka aldermen Dennis Cahoe and Mark Garfield have an assignment to investigate options for the city to consider for operating the city's water and sewer systems. Mayor John Allhands wants numbers to review by the end of March.

After a special Saturday morning City Council meeting to discuss the sewer & water set-up didn’t happen, the mayor is asking the council members to do the work and find what direction the city needs to pursue.

Allhands said "I know we all realize that ignoring this problem will not make it go away. In addition, with an uncertain financial picture and an aging water and sewer system, there’s an urgency for this research.”

The mayor added, “one catastrophic occurrence either with our system or our present contracted operation could put us in a significant bind quickly.”

The mayor suggests the research needs to include option comparisons, taking into account equipment and inventory for start up, maybe new personnel, costs associated with funding for daily operations along with future funding for infrastructure improvements and replacements.

Watseka is in the midst of a 5-year contract with ERH Enterprises. The Vermilion County company manages the city’s sewer and water system.

Mayor Allhands wants a report before the full council at the March 27th meeting.

94.1 WGFA