Approval of the proposed budget for 2022-2023 is on the Nov. 17 agenda of the Center Creek 201 Wastewater Treatment Board of Directors.

The budget is only slightly different than in previous years, especially in the amount paid to the city of Webb City to run the plant. 

In fact, as board secretary-treasurer Rod Surber points out, Webb City hasn’t requested an increase since the 2014-15 budget. It receives $187,272 each year, primarily for staff salaries.

Of the total $959,721 proposed budget, Webb City pays 82.04%, Carterville pays 9.92%, and Oronogo pays 8.04%.

Those percentages are based on how much sewage enters the plant from each city and recalculated each year. Flow meters measure the amounts to be accurate. Prior to the flow meters being installed, the percentages were figured less fairly – by population. That didn’t take into account storm water entering the systems or businesses that contribute to the flow.

As the budget shows below, Webb City will be responsible to pay $786,903, Carterville, $95,260, and Oronogo, $77,557. The cities have the option to pay all at once at the start of the year or pay half up front and the other half by April 1, 2023.

Payments include expenses for principal and interest on two low-interest loans. One of the loans was used to expand the plant. The other was used to make improvements, especially to convert sludge to compost. The cities also contribute to a fund for the replacement of equipment as it wears out.

The board of directors is comprised of the three mayors and other representatives of the cities. The current mayors are Lynn Ragsdale, Webb City; Alan Griffith, Carterville, and Charles Wilkins, Oronogo.

The board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the Webb City Council Chambers.