Sewer ordinance tabled

The second reading of an ordinance that would require all Luther property owners to install a specific septic system and pay monthly fees for it was tabled during Thursday nights Luther City Council meeting.

As it currently reads, the ordinance would require all property owners to install a certain septic system - yet to be determined - on their property. The system would be owned and maintained by the city. A monthly fee would also come with the system, which is set at $80 right now.

Resident Jack Miller, one of approximately 50 Luther residents in attendance at the meeting, said the sewer systems property owners would be required to install are expensive.

A lot of people in this town are on a fixed income, and they cant afford it, Miller said. Weve got to think about them.

The town already has a $370,000 I-JOBS grant that can be used for the city-wide sewer improvements. In order to be eligible for additional grants and loans to help fund an upgrade to the towns sewer system, an ordinance needs to be in place. If the town is successful in securing additional funding sources, the $80 monthly fee could change.

I really think theres money out there so we can get this down to $50, said Luther City Clerk Linda Benson.

Factoring into all this is the fact that if work on the towns sewer systems does not begin by June 1, 2015, Luther will lose the I-JOBS grant.

Councilman Tim Herrstrom said putting the ordinance in place is the right thing to do.

If everyone had an updated system, we wouldnt have this problem, Herrstrom said.

Vicky Severson said she is concerned about the future of the town if the ordinance passes. She said residents have said they will abandon their homes if the ordinance is put in place. Others have talked about voting to have the town disincorporated.

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Sewer ordinance tabled