Leesburg commissioners debated spending nearly $70,000 for a study which could save millions in future years.
City Manager Al Minner explained that the city is interested in the possible acquisition of the wastewater treatment plant which is part of the old Cutrale plant, which for many years was a powerful economic engine in Leesburg.
Minner said that before any discussion of a possible purchase of the plant’s waste water treatment plant, the city should enter into an agreement with the engineering firm, Halff Associates, Inc. to determine if the facility could be used to treat some of the city’s waste water. Commissioner Jay Connell was concerned with expending funds for an evaluation of the plant if there was no purchase agreement. He told his fellow commissioners that Cutrale could sell the property to a third party and that the expenditure would then be wasted. Minner acknowledged that nothing could stop Cutrale from selling the plant to a third party. He noted that the plant has been closed for three years and is unlikely to sell in the near future. Minner went on to explain that the city has sufficient wastewater processing to get the city to 2035. He reminded the commissioners that the city had spent close to $40 million to increase the capacity of the Turnpike water treatment facility and that the future costs of increasing capacity would be much higher by 2035.
“We are going to need some good information to decide if it makes sense to acquire the plant,” Commissioner Jimmy Burry said.
Other commissioners saw the potential longterm savings in making the deal.
“This is a small investment which could save future taxpayers tens of millions dollars,” said Commissioner Alan Reisman.
The resolution to approve the study passed on a 4-1 vote with Connell casting the lone no vote.