KIMBALL, Tenn. -- A proposed waterline project from South Pittsburg, Tenn., to Kimball could be a huge benefit, but for the project to happen Kimball would have to give up its Community Development Block Grant program eligibility for up to three years.
Kimball Mayor Rex Pesnell said South Pittsburg's water utility, which also supplies water to Kimball, wants to install a second feeder line between the two towns.
"What they'd actually be doing is using our eligibility for the [$500,000] CDBG," he said. "We're eligible for one, and they were asking if we could apply for it, then they would make all the matches [in funds]. So, it would actually cost Kimball nothing to do this."
Officials said a secondary waterline could increase Kimball's Insurance Services Office fire ratings, serve as a backup to the mainline that has been in place for many years, or be used to supply nearby Jasper, Tenn., with water if that city's line was somehow damaged.
"It would just always assure that we have water pressure here," Pesnell said.
Anthony Pelham, an engineer with James C. Hailey & Co. in Nashville, said Kimball has eligibility for the block grants one cycle at a time.
"Your eligibility is tied up as long as that contract is out there," he said. "It's a very competitive program. All of the communities in the state are targeting those funds."
Billy GougerKimball's grant eligibility would be tied up for potentially three years or until the project is completed, and extensions to that timeframe are "very rare," he said.
A similar project was completed recently when Jasper built a sewer line to the Shellmound Business Park using Marion County's CDBG eligibility.
"It's commonly done," City Attorney Billy Gouger said. "I don't see any risk really. The town of Kimball would receive all of the benefits."
Since Kimball doesn't have any current plans to use its grant eligibility for something else, he said it would be "a wasted opportunity" if the town doesn't apply for it.
Pelham said South Pittsburg would be solely responsible for all expenses on the project if the funds were awarded.
"It would still be a Kimball contract, but it would be a South Pittsburg project," he said.
The Kimball Board of Mayor and Alderman set a required public hearing on the matter for Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. CST at Kimball's town hall.
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.