City Looking to Secure New Funding to Continue Infrastructure Improvements in North Carmi

The City of Carmi is looking at more infrastructure improvements and assuming they receive grant funding they’re applying for, will move forward.  A public hearing was held prior to the Carmi City Council meeting Tuesday night for the purpose of giving the public an opportunity to weigh in on the project.  There was no public body present.  Engineer Jim Brown of Brown and Roberts, the engineering firm used by the municipality breaks down the proposed project.

“The project we’re trying to secure funds for is the replacement of the water line on Sycamore Street between Hillside Drive and Seventh Street.  If you drive through there, you can count at least 11 patches in the road where that water line has been repaired.”

The funding available through Community Development Block Grants for projects like these is $19.5 million.  Brown says the grant request amounts to $587,657 which will improve water services for an area that is made up of about 52% low to moderate income households.  Brown says he believes there are about 40 “services” or households.  Currently, the water main is a 4 inch cast iron and will be replaced by a 6 inch main.

Additionally Tuesday night, council approved several pay requests for other infrastructure improvement projects, in total amounting to $75,518.89.

Council also approved a new Stop Loss Insurance Renewal for February 1^st of this year through January 31^st of 2025.  Jeremy Billington has been the broker/agent of record for the City of Carmi for more than a decade and says by switching to Crescent Health Solutions, the city and it’s employees will save money and get the same level of coverage.  Council unanimously voted to approve the proposal for Tokio Marine HCC.  Billington estimates employees will see savings of over 24% compared to their current plan and the city will save more than 21% which amounts to more than $111,000.

Finally, Mayor Pollard noted that the city’s light and water offices will be unable to take payments or look up accounts on January 25^th.  He says billing software updates will be taking place and will therefore make some normal operations unavailable.  Pollard expects the office to open back up for normal business hours on Friday, January 26^th.  Residents with questions can call 618-382-5555.