The Frankfort City Council passed a pair of ordinances on second reading Monday night related to the Wastewater Expansion Project by identical votes of 5-2.
The first ordinance allowed the city to amend the sewer rates and charges for the City of Frankfort, while the second one authorized the acquisition, construction and installation of certain improvements to the sewage works system of the City of Frankfort along with the issuance of revenue bonds to provide for the cost.
“Right now, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management looks at our wastewater treatment plant at 94 percent capacity,” said Frankfort Mayor Chris McBarnes. “That means we can build about 31 new homes. But, if any new industrial growth were to come to this city, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management would not let us accept that new growth and development. This wasn’t a luxury. This was a necessity.”
McBarnes added the project would allow the city to essentially double the size of its wastewater plant from 4.6 million gallons to nine million gallons a day.
“This is being proactive for the future,” said McBarnes. “This is something that when I’m 50, hopefully they’ll be looking to expand again. This is really a play for the future, but to also keep our city open for business.”
The project is estimated to cost $25.6 million with a not to exceed amount of $27 million.
The third and final reading is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 9, at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Old Stoney.
In other business, the council unanimously approved a pair of resolutions relating to the Donaldson Company expansion project in the Industrial Park.
“We competed hard for this investment,” said McBarnes. “They could have went to several countries and several other states. But our local economic development team, our finance committee along with our administration fought hard, represented Frankfort well, marketed Frankfort well and because of that, 80 new jobs are coming to our community with a $35 million dollar expansion.”
In addition, Donaldson officials said the expansion would add about another 160,000 square feet to an area which already has 180,000 square feet.