Weatherford Mayor Mike Brown and Clinton Mayor David Berrong spoke to the Custer County Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning regarding their plans to do a feasibility study on building a water line between the cities.
The two mayors have been discussing using American Rescue Plan Act funds for a water line project the past few months. While it is not something either city needs right now, it would offer water security in the future.
The project would create a 12-15-mile water line running from Weatherford to Clinton, so if something were to happen to a water source for one city, the other city would be able to share its water supply.
Before this project can begin, both cities have agreed to split the cost of a $58,000 feasibility study, which would determine if the project is possible and what it would need.
However, if the project is possible, it would take more money than Weatherford and Clinton could supply.
“This project is not something Weatherford can do by itself,” Brown said. “It’s not even something the two of us combined can accomplish. We’re going to have to have state help and county help.”
The mayors asked the county to consider this project when discussing ARPA funds.
If the feasibility study determines the project is possible, Brown and Berrong said the project also would benefit the Rural Water District and the other communities in Custer County. They also mentioned the possibility of working with Emblem Strategies, who the county hired to assist with the spending and reporting of ARPA funds, as well as other county communities for funding purposes.
No action was taken during this discussion. Brown and Berrong said the feasibility study could take up to 180 days to complete.
In other news, the board approved two transfers for the county. The first was $2,000 for the election board from M&O to Capital Outlay. The second was $500 for District 3 from M&O to Travel.
The board approved blanket purchase orders and purchase orders for payments.