Council ends standoff, approves $90M water/sewer project

JACKSON — The Jackson City Council has ended a month-long standoff with the administration over a $90-million water and sewer project, after receiving assurances they would have another chance to weigh in on the proposed deal.

The Economic Development Committee and then the council voted to spend more than $400,000 to hire bond counsel and other financial and legal advisers to help the city craft the proposed deal.

The Clarion-Ledger reports the deal should be signed by the end of the month.

The water and sewer package, awarded to Siemens at an October council meeting, is not the typical infrastructure contract. It will bankroll $90 million of improvements, including water meter installations, water plant upgrades and sewer line repairs, using projected savings and revenue that Siemens will guarantee.