City, County Agree to Trade Water for Grading Services
 | Author:
Linda Kent, MT43 News Staff Reporter
MT43 News Correspondent |
Linda Kent
MT43 News Staff Reporter
The City of Townsend and Broadwater County agreed to a resolution trading metered city water for grading at least twice during the calendar year on approximately one mile of Railroad and Harrison avenues. The one-time agreement, approved by the City Council on June 4 and County Commission on June 10, expires Dec. 31, 2024.
Prior to 2022, county water trucks and other non-county entities were able to access city water for their needs. The access was curtailed in 2022 due to water shortages that left paying Townsend customers on water use restrictions.
County Public Works Director TJ Graveley told the commission that his estimate of the amount of water the county would use for works around Townsend was likely low. Metering will provide the city and county with data that can be used to determine the value of the water used, compared to the cost of grading and gravel needed for the two streets. He, Commissioner Debi Randolph, and Commission Chair Darrel Folkvord noted that upcoming changes in city water rates would also influence whether a similar agreement could be put in place in the future.
Both the city council and county commission approved the agreement unanimously.
