Moving the sewer plant could take a heavy emotional toll on one family and would require much higher utility payments from all.
The Durango City Council recently asked a consulting firm to re-examine a parcel across from Mercury Payment Systems for the sewer system. But the Jackson family owns the property, and family members made an emotional plea to the councilors Tuesday to stop considering the property.
“There is no amount of money that could replace what we have there,” LeeAnn Jackson said.
She is raising two boys with her husband on the parcel, and they all love the land and the wildlife, she said.
They also have spread her father-in-laws’ ashes on the site, and it has irreplaceable sentimental value.
“I hope this is the end of this, and we don’t have to take this any further,” she said.
City councilors will still hear from Mulhern MRE on Oct. 1 about the feasibility of the site, City Manager Ron LeBlanc said.
Members of public have called for additional study into the site, and that is fueling further exploration, Mayor Dean Brookie said.
“It may be moot, but we still think it’s important to evaluate,” he said.
However, the council will not pursue the condemnation of any property to use it for city purposes, he said.
The cost of a new site was also explored in more depth during the meeting.
If the plant is remodeled for about $58 million, the average sewer bill would be about $56.28 in 2018, LeBlanc said. This will bring the average total city utility bill to about $114.72.
However, if the plant was moved across from Mercury Payment Systems it could cost about $77.5 million and that would inflate the average bill to $78.68 in 2018 and the total bill for all utilities would be $136.29.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
