Mayor’s wish list includes more money for pipeline

By Randy Bell

It seems like the cost of everything is going up these days.

Groceries. Utilities. Sewage pipelines.

That last one is an issue that Clinton has been grappling with ever since it determined that building a nineteen-mile long pipeline to the Big Black River is the only way to maintain the viability of the City’s sewer system and allow for continued business, industrial and residential growth in Clinton.

The price tag for the pipeline, which started out at $97 million three years ago, is now up to $130 million, according to Mayor Phil Fisher. And, with the advent of the New Year, he says he is hoping for more help from Congress and the Mississippi Legislature in paying for the project.

So far, Fisher says $65 million in government funding has been obligated for the pipeline, which would carry treated wastewater from Clinton, Raymond and Bolton to the river. Without it, Clinton eventually would have to stop making new connections to its sewer system.

Former Congressman Gregg Harper has been lobbying for the City in Washington, helping to secure some of the needed funds. Twenty million dollars for the project has come from the State Capitol.

High on the mayor’s wish-list for the New Year is additional money for the pipeline, although he realizes the legislative funding may be limited.

“Certainly, not in the $20 million range, but, you know, a few million dollars here and there to help us out.”

Fisher says it’s clear that the lion’s share of the funding will have to come from Congress.

“As soon as they pass a budget, [in Washington], I know there’s $7.5 million more coming out. [And] there’s some efforts through the Corps of Engineers that we’re working on.”

The mayor says he’s not sure how the pipeline funding might be affected when Donald Trump takes over as president.

“You know, they’re talking about ways to cut government, but I haven’t heard them say anything about infrastructure cuts,” said Fisher.