By Ryan Lewis
Correspondent
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — Marion County’s planned regional wastewater treatment facility, which has been in the works for more than a year, has been dealt a swift and decisive blow by the South Pittsburg City Commission.
On Tuesday, commissioners unanimously agreed to withdraw from the proposed deal with Kimball and Jasper. Instead, officials voted to build their own sewage treatment plant.
South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian said the disagreement with Kimball concerning the debt payment on South Pittsburg’s old sewer plant played a key role.
“Apparently, Kimball thinks that our people should pay off the debt on our sewer system that was built for them,” he said. “I just can’t do that. [Kimball] thinks we’re not sacrificing for them. If we go into this regional system, it will cost this city $150,000 to $300,000 more [than if we built our own].”
South Pittsburg’s old sewer plant was expanded to help Kimball bring in businesses such as Walmart, McDonald’s and Shoney’s, Killian said, so he believes Kimball should pay the debt on that expansion.
“Without this [expansion], Walmart either wouldn’t be [in Kimball] or would be in South Pittsburg,” Killian said. “This city paid the price for it, and I say that stops today.”
Killian added that if the regional system were built, South Pittsburg would have 200,000 gallons less capacity per day and would not have control of the facility.
Recently, Kimball and Jasper’s city boards recommitted their dedication to building the regional treatment plant, and those officials were shocked when South Pittsburg didn’t do the same.
“It was really unexpected,” Kimball Mayor David Jackson said. “We do have some options that we’ll be looking at very soon.”
“I was very surprised, because after our last meeting [on Friday] I thought everything was golden,” Jasper Mayor Billy Simpson said. “Naturally, I hate it, but we’re going to move forward. We think it’s still an achievable project.”
Simpson said he spoke with Jackson on Wednesday, and the two committed to completing the project without South Pittsburg’s involvement.
Killian said South Pittsburg’s board acted in the best interest of the town.
“We are in very good financial condition, and we can build our own plant,” he said. “If we can build our own plant for at least $150,000 less, have more capacity and keep our rates down, then that’s going to be my recommendation.”
South Pittsburg Commissioner Charles Reynolds said that, since attending several meetings on the proposed facility, his support for it has diminished.
“At first, I was leaning toward the regional plan, but when the dollar signs come down, it’s going to cost the citizens of this town a lot more,” he said. “I can’t keep leaning that way.”
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.