In a recent edition of the PA Municipal Authorities Association magazine, our Executive Director Peggy Citeroni was spotlighted in the Women’s History Month feature.
2024 Proposed Budget – NO INCREASE IN RATES
No increase in rates for 2024 – We are very happy to share that the 2024 Proposed Budget will include NO increase in sewer or debt service rates for the upcoming year.
The preliminary budget was shared with the Authority Board at their November meeting and will be acted on at the December 4th meeting. The $1.7 million budget includes a Capital Improvement Project at Coral Pump Station to upgrade the electric power supply and equipment within the pump station. This project will save costly maintenance and repair dollars as well as being a more efficient operation of the major control and pumping equipment of this station.
As previously shared, the Authority is under a Consent Order from DEP and is currently seeking funding for a $2 million major improvement project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The anticipated start of this project is projected for June 2024 with completion by June 2024. The Board is also seeking funding for the proposed Cherry Run Road Line Extension that is estimated at $1,066,800. This project is projected to begin in the second half of 2024 as well.
With this budget and all that we do at CICJSA, we are living into our mission statement of “Being good stewards of our natural environment, providing quality services at a reasonable, affordable cost in an efficient, effective and reliable manner.”
January 25, 2024 – $2 million low-interest loan from PENNVEST will come to Indiana County.In a joint news release from State Senator Joe Pittman and State Representative Jim Struzzi, the low interest loan will be used by the Central Indiana County Joint Sewer Authority for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovation Project for the facility that serves 2,225 residential customers in the Homer City and Center Township areas. Not only will the upgrades improve service for the authority’s customers, but it will also improve the water quality of Two Lick Creek.The current plant was built in 1997, but the equipment has become outdated and cannot process in-flowing water during high flow events. In 2022, the authority entered into an agreement with the PA Department of Environmental Protection in response to exceeded discharge limits, and the project that will be funded by the $2 million loan will satisfy those requirements. The project will start in June of this year and is expected to take about one year to complete.Struzzi, a member of the PENNVEST board said that this was an example of government working together to improve the quality of life in Pennsylvania. Pittman said that the funding will be a central part to safeguard local water supplies and protect public health.
Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and Reps. Jim Struzzi (R-62) and Brian Smith (R-66) announced more than $3.4 million in public infrastructure grants have been awarded to Indiana County communities for five local projects. These investments were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) on December 19, 2023 in Harrisburg.
“Water and sewer projects are an essential part of maintaining the health and safety of our communities, but often come with a high cost,” Pittman said. “I’m pleased to have worked to ensure this state support will be invested locally and can help to assist with necessary improvements. This is a great day, as these projects will improve services to numerous Indiana County municipalities and local residents.”
Central Indiana County Joint Sanitary Authority is the recipient of $1.9 million in COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA (H2O PA) funds for sewer system improvements located in Center Township and Homer City Borough.