Joplin Council to Consider Revenue Bonds for Sewer Improvements

Tonight, the Joplin city council will consider issuing $6 million in revenue bonds to begin work on sewer upgrades approved by voters in August 2009.If authorized, the city will be able to apply for a $3 million grant from the Missouri DNR.  That grant is paid for by the federal stimulus funds.

Joplin’s residential customers will see sewer rates rise 7% effective Jan 1.  Rates will increase 5% in each of the next four years to help recoup the cost of the improvements.  In total, rates in 2014 will be 30% higher than what residential customers are paying today.

Currently	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
$21.01	$22.48	$23.60	$24.78	$26.02	$27.33
Increase %	7%	5%	5%	5%	5%

Neosho has received stimulus funds to help with sewer improvements currently underway.  Neosho is also doing engineering work on for upcoming water improvements so it can be eligible to receive any remaining uncommitted stimulus funds.