The Courier
NEWS
City of Shoshone Seeks Revenue Bond for Water System
On November 2nd, residents of Shoshone will have an opportunity to vote on a $4.372 million revenue bond to upgrade the city’s municipal water system. An engineering assessment of the water system was completed two years ago. The study identified multiple violations that need to be corrected, as well as vital improvements that are necessary to improve system efficiencies. The revenue bond aims to address these issues by upgrading the water system and bringing it into regulatory compliance. Many items are fundamental in ensuring the proper functioning of the city’s water system in case of an emergency such as a major power outage or fire. A list of improvements would include: • Updating three well pumps through the addition of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to increase pump and system efficiency. • Purchasing two new backup generators to ensure functionality of the water system during a power outage. • Installing new water meters to more accurately monitor water use and assist with conservation efforts. • Increasing water storage from the current 79,000 gallons to the necessary 400,000 gallons for fire protection. • Installing a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to modernize the city’s water system and alert maintenance crews of issues. • Upgrading outdated and dilapidated distribution lines. “No major water system improvements have been undertaken in Shoshone since the 1970’s,” explained Shoshone City Mayor Dan Pierson. “This will be a simple majority vote where citizens will have the opportunity to either vote in favor of or against the bond.” If the bond is approved, residents of Shoshone should expect to pay an approximate increase of the current bill by $9 per month for the first year. That monthly rate would increase by $18 for the second year and then by $27 for the third year, where it would remain for the remaining life of the bond, which is anticipated to be 40 years. “If it passes, the city will also seek federal and state assistance to supplement the bond,” said Pierson. Offering a bond election allows residents to engage in a process that will have long term benefits for the city. If a majority does not vote to approve the bond on November 2, the City of Shoshone may pursue judicial approval to proceed with water improvements that are needed to bring the system into regulatory compliance. Although no timelines will be defined until the results of the election are verified, should the bond pass, residents could see improvements beginning as early as Spring 2023. To learn more about this bond election, residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting that will be hosted by the City of Shoshone on Wednesday October 27, 2021 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln County Community Center - 201 S Beverly, Shoshone.
Election Day ~ November 2, 2021 This is the year to vote for City Officials. Check out page 7 for sample ballots and polling locations.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
October 27, 2021
Vol 45 Num 43
Senators Take District Championship
On Friday, the Varsity Senator Football team crushed the Kimberly Bulldogs 43 to 6 to take the 3A Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference Championship. This win secured the #2 seed in the State Tournament and a bye for the first round of the playoff games. Their next game will be November 5th. In 1AD2 football, the Camas Mushers, the Dietrich Blue Devils, and the Carey Panthers all made it to the State Tournament. Camas will face off against North Gem this Thursday at 2 p.m. in North Gem, and Dietrich will host Council on Friday at 5 p.m. Carey will host Timberline on Friday at 5 p.m.
Trick or Treat & More...
This weekend, keep your eyes open for kids as they search for treats on your front porch and along the streets of your town. Because Halloween falls on Sunday, most organized events will take place on Friday, October 29th. Camas County will host a Fall Harvest Festival at the school starting at 7:00 p.m. There will be games and prizes, a potato dinner by the Junior class, and a community pumpkin carving contest. The Lincoln County Youth Center in Richfield will host fun events all day long, including a Trunk or Treat from 5:30 to 7:00. If you want to take the Haunted Forest Field tour, be at the center by 10:30 a.m. FREE. Main Street businesses in Gooding will be looking for all your ghouls and goblins from 3 to 5:30 with lots of treats (and tricks?). At 5:30, North Valley Academy will host a Fall Carnival with a scary maze, a bounce house, and a chili dinner. On Saturday, come to the Gooding LDS parking lot for a Trunk or Treat starting at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, October 31st (7-8) the Hagerman American Legion Auxiliary will host a Halloween Carnival with a cake walk, games and prizes! A Trunk or Treat will be held in the park.