Holts Summit to assess sewage treatment options

The Holt Summit Board of Aldermen is assessing whether it should connect its sewer treatment with Jefferson City's or build a new treatment plant in Holts Summit.

The board discussed two sewage treatment bills at its Tuesday meeting.

Jefferson City treats homes west of U.S. 54 and Holts Summit cannot treat east of that, which is sent to the Holts Summit treatment plant, according to City Administrator Bill Crane.

"Our treatment plant is about 30 to 40 years old so it's time for us to either replace that and treat 100 percent of our sewer or connect 100 percent of our city to Jefferson City," Crane said.

Crane estimated connecting Holts Summit to Jefferson City would cost about $4 million and a new plant would cost $7 million. The current sewage rate for an average user, according to Crane, is $41.51 per month. If Holts Summit connects to Jefferson City, that rate would be an estimated $46, and if Holts Summit builds a new plant the rate would be an estimated $58.50.

Currently, according to Crane, 105 homes in Holts Summit are not connected with the city's sewer lines and have their independent means of sewage treatment. Part of a proposed sewage project is to connect those 105 homes to the Holts Summit system.

Crane said the city is planning to host three different public hearings on the topic, with the dates yet to be set.

The board also approved a contract between Holts Summit and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the meeting, which signals the beginning of a new trail. The less than 1,000-foot trail will connect Hibernia Station Park on South Summit Drive with Greenway Park. Crane said it is about a $130,000 project through a grant from the DNR.

The city is also looking into an agreement with Central Missouri Community Action, a non-profit employment program, to participate in the Missouri Works Assistance Program. This would allow Holts Summit residents receiving public assistance to gain workforce experience through avenues such as city park maintenance and office work.