JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Rep. Del Taylor (D-St. Louis) is pushing for funding for three infrastructure projects in Boone County
The money would be part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ budget.
The Subcommittee on Appropriations Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources and Economic Development met Monday afternoon to discuss the recommendations and all three were adopted.
During the hearing, Taylor argued small communities are struggling to maintain waste water treatment systems and sewer systems.
Taylor recommended one-time funding of $400,000 to build a floodwall and a lift station in Rocheport. Taylor says the project would support the water treatment system and the Katy Trail from the rising Missouri River.
In Sturgeon, Taylor recommended one-time funding to improve the processing of wastewater and sewer line improvements.
Taylor argued communities outside of Columbia are growing and in the future the communities will merge and become suburbs.
“Fundamentally this is an economic development issue; they need these funds to help them expand their existing water treatment and sewer system,” Taylor said.
The City of Harrisburg, Taylor says is struggling to expand its community. The city can’t expand its subdivisions because the water treatment and sewer systems are constrained.
“Helping them one time expand their water treatment system is an economic development item, these are one-time infrastructure dollars, we are asking for $1 million,” Taylor said.
During the hearing, Taylor said all three projects are in small communities that would have a difficult time financing the projects on their own and face constraints on growth.
Taylor is asking for the money on behalf on Boone County lawmakers who are not on the subcommittee.