Update Regarding the Markleeville Water Company’s Pending Planning Grant Status

We’ve received some preliminary news regarding the income survey from the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) on August 28^th.

The median household income (MHI) according to RCAC is $36,000 amongst permanent residents and the response rate was 95%. The full and final results will be submitted to the state Division of Financial Assistance within a couple weeks (according to RCAC) after which the state will determine MWC’s membership income status. If, after state review, the MHI remains at $36,000, we should qualify for the grant.  We must caution you, however, that this is just one step in a somewhat lengthy bureaucratic process so while we can, and should, celebrate this milestone, it is just that, a milestone.  We’re not at the finish line just yet.

Since we are categorized as a “severely disadvantaged community,” we will be given a higher priority (than less disadvantaged communities) for consideration in receiving the planning grant.

Next steps:

• Await review of our financials and the environmental report (4-6 mos.).
• Issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for engineering firms to submit a plan (planning grant). This can be done while we await review of our financials and so work has already begun.
• Review and award the planning contract.
• Apply for a construction grant (after the planning has been completed).
• Issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) for the construction work under that construction grant.
• Ideally, we complete the construction before, or concurrent with, the county work on the re-surfacing of Hot Springs Rd.

So, again, we’d like to thank you for your help in getting us the surveys.  Also, we’ve received several comments from members about the work done by our President, Steve Martin, to get us to this point.  While he certainly wasn’t the only one doing the work, and we’re not about patting ourselves on the back (especially this early), at our last meeting we gave Steve a well-deserved round of applause.  It’s mostly due to his diligence that we’ve reached this milestone.

It’s important to note that it would be approximately 18 to 24 mos. from awarding of the planning contract until actual construction begins, and we cannot award the construction contract until we receive the grant funds.

Fingers crossed, we’ll hit the next milestone soon.  Stay tuned!

Author: markleevillewatercompany

We are a small water company that provides water to the Markleeville community. View all posts by markleevillewatercompany