Published: March 27, 2008 10:55 am      

Jeffersonville officials say loan will save money on sewers

The city of Jeffersonville will close a $9.8 million low-interest loan Friday through the Indiana Finance Authority’s Wastewater State Revolving Fund Loan Program.

The loan will finance a sewer treatment plant expansion and separation of combined sewers, which will eliminate two combined sewer overflows into local waterways and the Ohio River during rain events, a news release says.

The loan also will finance a sewer extension to Longview Beach, which is served by septic systems. More than 70 Longview Beach property owners are contributing approximately $9,000 each — a figure that includes a $3,025 per-property tap-in fee — to help facilitate the sewer extension.

“With the state’s help, we are able to finance needed work in a fiscally responsible manner,” said Mayor Tom Galligan in the news release. “If we were to spend more money on interest, we would have less to spend on service to our sewer customers.

“I’m pleased that the Jeffersonville Sanitary Sewer Board and the City Council were adamant about seeking a financing package that will save our sewer utility dollars over the long haul.”