Commissioners discuss how to finance water project and other county issues

The Elmore County Commissioners met on Dec. 6, to discuss a number of items important to the county.

Financing Options for the Water Project on Anderson Reservoir were discussed to cover first steps. In order to carry a loan for over one year, there needs to be a two thirds majority, county-wide vote. Not only do the commissioners and legal counsel feel that it is highly unlikely to pass at that majority for the currently proposed pump station, since the entire county would not benefit from the water project. The commissioners would like to keep the financing within a specific area of Basin 61, which includes the area of the Irrigation District and the city of Mountain Home. The only real option according to legal advice from Scott Campbell of Lex H2O would be to create a Local Improvement District (LID). This would grant the county city-type authority to create an additional fee that would be used for the water project. It would not require an election - only to receive notice. Water project advisor Terry Scanlin has developed maps that show areas that would benefit from recharge and supplemental irrigation. For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.