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Highland Water
District reservoir project in line for loan
Monroe’s Highland Water District has one of the 64 public works projects
in line for low-interest or interest-free state loans from the Public
Works Trust Fund. The 2005 project list approved by the House of
Representatives today would loan the district $573,750, equal to 85
percent of the anticipated cost of the new drinking-water reservoir it
plans to build.
“The trust fund helps make public works projects affordable – and public
works projects mean jobs, which is my number one priority,” said Rep.
Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish. “Many of the projects on the list have
economic benefits because they create the infrastructure a community
needs to attract employers. Others, like this water district project,
will support growth. Either way it’s a worthwhile program.”
“This project will be a significant improvement for the Highland Water
District, helping to provide additional capacity for the future of the
area served,” said
Rep.
Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe. “I’m very pleased this bill is on the
fast track so that this and other important projects around the state
can get started and bring jobs to our communities.”
The water district’s Reservoir No. 2 project is described in House Bill
1049 as a half-million gallon steel water tank and foundation, along
with lines, valves, an access road and other improvements.
HB 1049, approved unanimously, covers a list of 64 projects totaling
$155 million. The projects fall into five categories: (1) Twenty-eight
domestic water projects totaling $43.8 million; (2) Twenty-seven
sanitary sewer projects totaling $85.5 million; (3) Five storm sewer
projects totaling $9.3 million; (4) Three road projects totaling $13.8
million; and (5) One solid waste project totaling $2.6 million.
HB 1049 now goes before the Senate for approval.
The Legislature created the Public Works Trust Fund in 1985 to help
local governments and special purpose districts get loan funds to build
infrastructure projects. The Public Works Board, housed within the
Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, makes
low-interest or interest-free loans to finance the repair, replacement
or improvement of a variety of public works projects, including bridges,
roads, water and sewage systems, and solid waste and recycling
facilities.
The Public Works Assistance Account receives dedicated revenue from
utility and sales taxes on water, sewer service, and garbage collection;
a portion of the real estate excise tax; and loan repayments.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer:
(360) 786-7252
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