Funding, delays and doubt: Helmsburg sewer update raises bigger county questions

Local News X The first discussion at the April 15 Brown County Commissioners’ meeting centered on the Helmsburg Regional Sewer District and broader concerns about the stalled countywide sewer effort, including pointed criticism of the Brown County Regional Sewer District. Kyle Myers, vice president of the Helmsburg Regional Sewer District, told commissioners the long-awaited project to build a new wastewater treatment plant is finally moving forward after the State Revolving Fund (SRF) confirmed the district could proceed without an interlocal agreement that had been holding things up. He said advertisements for bids will begin next week, with bids expected to be opened at the district’s June meeting. Myers made it clear the process has not been smooth, saying, “It’s been more than a struggle for us to get to this point,” and placing much of the blame on delays tied to the Brown County Regional Sewer District. He said Helmsburg had been waiting on cooperation that never fully materialized, which contributed to setbacks in securing funding and approvals. One of the most significant changes came from SRF, which reduced the size of Helmsburg’s planned treatment plant from 100,000 gallons per day down to 14,000 gallons per day after determining the larger capacity was not justified based on current readiness of other projects. Myers said that reduction forced a redesign that has already cost the district about $150,000 in engineering fees, money the district does not currently have to pay. Despite the smaller size, Myers said the plant will still meet current needs, noting the system currently processes about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons per day. However, he warned the district is operating close to its limits and cannot expand much further without additional infrastructure. The discussion then shifted to the stalled Bean Blossom sewer project, where Myers expressed frustration and confusion over recent developments from the Brown County Regional Sewer District. He said the project was recently paused, with public statements from BCRSD citing funding issues, but he has since heard from SRF that the real issue may be a lack of public support, i.e. customers. He questioned why millions of dollars have already been spent on planning if the project is now being delayed again. Myers pointed out that the Brown County Regional Sewer District also recently received $3.7 million in funding for additional design work. He questioned how the district plans to move forward without having completed basic requirements, such as finalizing easements and producing bid-ready plans. He explained that funding agencies typically require fully prepared plans before approving construction money, and said, “I don’t know how they’re saying there’s no money out there for them to construct” when they are not yet ready to bid. He suggested Helmsburg could take a larger leadership role in expanding sewer service, including into Bean Blossom and Lake Lemon, if the county restructures how the districts operate. Myers said that could involve the county stepping in to reorganize the Brown County Regional Sewer District and reallocating responsibilities so projects can move forward more efficiently. Commissioner Tim Clark acknowledged the long and complicated history of sewer planning in the county, describing years of shifting strategies, failed land acquisition attempts, and overlapping authority between different sewer districts. He said the situation has become a “bureaucratic challenge” that may need to be reevaluated. Myers also outlined the financial realities facing the Helmsburg district. He said grant funding is critical, as loans would drive rates too high for customers. The district is currently weighing two options – keeping monthly rates at $92.50 while shifting maintenance costs to homeowners, or raising rates to about $117 per month while continuing to maintain equipment. He said most residents who responded to surveys support the higher rate to avoid unexpected repair bills. Commissioners indicated they will continue reviewing the overall sewer structure in the county, especially as multiple projects remain stalled or uncertain. Commissioners also discussed the ongoing closure at Indian Hill Road and the railroad crossing in Helmsburg, after learning the county did not receive a $400,000 grant through the Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration to help fund the project. Commissioner Clark said the grant process was first-come, first-served, and although the county applied quickly, it was not fast enough to secure funding. Rather than wait for another round of grants, commissioners said they are now exploring other funding options, including using approximately $230,000 remaining from the sale of the former sock factory property and potentially tapping into capital improvement bond funds. The project would reopen the crossing and restore access to State Road 45, something Clark said has strong public support. He added they plan to reapply for grant funding later this year but want to move forward with planning work in the meantime so the project is ready when funding becomes available. Featured Local Savings