Columbus considering partnership to get water to proposed housing

COLUMBUS—Thermal Belt Outreach has asked the Town of Columbus to help get a water line to proposed housing on their property off White Drive. 

Columbus Town Council met last week and heard from Outreach Executive Director George Alley. 

Alley spoke of proposed multi-family housing that Outreach is working with the Polk County High School Construction class to build. He said the proposal is for 9 units on the back of Outreach’s property. There is also a proposal for a daycare on the property as well as a foster home. Alley said there is already electricity and sewer there and the last piece of the puzzle is water. A current 2-inch line is not large enough for homes. 

“It’s a great location,” Alley told council. “People can work in town. It would really be great if we could partner with the town to get this done.” 

Town manager Tim Barth said the town got a quote from Steppe Construction to run a 6-inch water line 1,100 feet out White Drive from Houston Road. The quote for that distance was $71,000 and included two fire hydrants. Council agreed to get another quote to run the line even further to make it to the proposed homes and to add another fire hydrant. 

Barth said he would get an updated estimate to take the water line where the houses will be and suggested if the town wants to partner with Outreach, the town could pay for the first 1,100 feet and Outreach could pay for the remainder. 

“I think conceptually this is great as a council,” said councilman Robert Williamson. “We will consider this.” 

Alley said Outreach would be responsible for getting the water across the road as they have funding in the budget. 

Williamson asked what the town has in its enterprise fund balance. Barth said as of Sept. 30, the town had $909,000. Barth also said the sidewalk could be paid for with Powell Bill funds. 

“I think it’s worth pursuing,” Williamson said. “We’ve identified a sore need for affordable housing, daycare and foster care in Polk County.” 

Council agreed to set up a time with Alley to walk the property soon.