Document text
56 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, May 7, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 3, 2005 Carl Cunningham, an operator at the region�s wastewater treatment plant, pumps sludge out of the lagoon Monday. Renovation of Medford�s sewage treatment plant is among projects listed in public works� budget for the next biennium. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Public Works takes on sewer needs By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune A bigger, better sludge lagoon for $1.6 million at the wastewater treatment plant and six new staff positions are among the requests in Medford Public Works Department’s $74.6 million budget for the next two years. The city’s largest departmental budget, which represents 32 percent of Medford’s $234 million budget for 2005-07, will be heard during a Budget Committee hearing today. The regional wastewater treatment plant, which serves all of the Bear Creek valley except Ashland, plans to enlarge and line sludge lagoon No. 3, the last remaining unlined of five lagoons, beginning in July. "We’re going to try to get it done before the rains hit," said Tom Suttle, acting construction manager at the water reclamation division. Development and growth have driven the renovation of the sewage treatment plant, said Cory Crebbin, public works director. Advertisement "We are always expanding the plant," he said. Other projects included in the public works budget are a new bridge over Bear Creek on McAndrews Road for $7.6 million, sidewalks around schools funded by a voter-approved $4.1 million bond, and $6 million to use treated sewer water on local crops. In all, nearly $48 million is designated for capital improvement projects and $26.7 million for operating costs. The total represents a 34 percent increase over last biennium, in which $31.5 million was set aside for projects and $24.1 million for operating costs. In addition to numerous projects, Public Works plans to spend $607,300 over the next two years for six new full-time staff members. Positions include: an engineer inspector to oversee the sidewalk projects, $108,330; a development services manager, $178,970; and two new people to handle repairs to the sewer system, $252,000. The department also would like to hire two new treatment plant operators beginning in January 2007 at a cost of $68,000 in this budget. Repairs needed to the sewer system have come to light ever since the department began sending small cameras through the pipes six years ago. "We’ve identified 1,000 spots that need some minor fixes," said Crebbin. The Technology Services, Planning and Building departments’ requests were approved in the first budget hearing last week. Once approved by the budget committee, the entire budget will come before the Medford City Council for approval at a public hearing on June 2. Upcoming budget hearing: The second Medford city budget hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. today inTuesday the Council Chambers at City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. Budgets for the following departments will be heard. Totals reflect a biennial budget: Medford Visitors and Convention Bureau — approximately $1 million from a 25 percent share of the business license tax. Public Works Department — $26.7 million for operating costs, $47.9 million for capital improvement projects. Police Department — $31.4 million for operating costs, $627,000 for capital improvement projects. Fire Department — $17.7 million for operating costs. Budgets for remaining departments — parks and recreation, mayor and council and administration — will be heard at 7 p.m. May 10, continuing May 17 if necessary. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg diamonds Distance Education Diamonds Paris Hilton Online Poker Auto Insurance Mesothelioma Slippers Student Loans Tatoo tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing Website Design & Marketing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoos Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Payday Loans Advertisement s