Updated:

The City of Murray General Obligation Debt Limit is $1,091,124 per the FY22 annual financial report. We currently have a bond in the amount of $832,000 which was used for the street improvements to Maple, Troy, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and part of Sherman. This leaves us with $259,124 that we are still eligible to borrow if we feel that it is necessary to complete the street reconstruction that needs done on the north side of town. The loan is paid by the Debt Service Fund which is a property tax supported fund.

In 2015 the City of Murray completed a PER that included an analysis and evaluation of the existing water distribution system that would provide recommendations for system improvement needs. It was identified that that the following water system improvements needed made: replace asbestos cement water pipes, replace mains less than 6" diameter for fire flow capacity and eliminate dead end mains. The city was awarded a total of $1,285,000 USDA/CDBG grants which was the total amount allowable for this project. We were also awarded a $1,209,000 USDA revenue bond for this project. The project started in 2018 and was completed in January 2020. As of 6/30/22 we owed $1,046,349.50 towards the revenue bonds, this is paid from the water fund.

In 2016 the City of Murray completed a PER that included analysis of the Storm Water Drainage System. It was identified that we had inadequate storm drainage infrastructure which leads to frequent flash flooding, ponding of surface water and deterioration of our streets. The PER identified 5 areas that needed to be addressed at a total cost of $1,848,500 therefore the council chose not to complete all of the projects at once. The council chose to complete area 3 and 5 which came in at a total of $880,000. We received a $310,000 USDA/CDBG grant which was the max allowed for this project and a $610,000 USDA revenue bond. This project was started in June 2018 and was completed in December 2019. As of 6/30/22 we owed $434,394.38 towards the revenue bond, which is paid from the Storm Water Fund.

CLARKE COUNTY RESERVOIR & LOST (CITY OF MURRAY)

*Planning for the Clarke County Reservoir began in 1991 due to projected water deficits during times of drought.

​

*The Clarke County Reservoir Commission was formed in March 2003. 

​

*On November 3, 2009 the citizens of the City of Murray voted to authorize imposition of a local sales and services tax in the incorporated area of the City of Murray at the rate of 1%, to be effective on January 1, 2010. The specific purposes for which the revenues shall otherwise be expended as documented on the ballot are: To fund, under one or more agreements, the acquisition of land, planning, design, construction and equipping, while any project debt is outstanding, for the Clarke County Reservoir Project.

​

*June 2010 a 28E agreement between the City of Murray and the Clarke County Reservoir was approved by the Murray City Council. This agreement states that if the City withdraws or violates the 28E Agreement, then the City is in default and can be sued by other parties, will be obligated to fulfill all of its duties and still be obligated to pay the same amount to the Commission for reservoir purposes. This equates to approximately $130,000 annually that is currently paid through the Local Option Sales Tax per the November 2009 citizen vote. 

​

*Water needs studies indicate that long term (year 2040) capacity of West Lake will provide only about 800,000 gallons per day. A total raw water demand of 2,790,000 gallons for the year 2040 is expected for the area the lake serves. The lake is estimated to serve 30,000 people as it will be the primary source of water for Osceola as well as serving SIRWA which provides water to Clarke County (Murray, Woodburn, county residents), as well as 14 other counties.

​

*The reservoir will have a drainage area of 16,500 acres with a normal pool area of 790 acres which will equate to a safe withdrawal capacity of 2 million gallons per day. West Lake has a drainage area of 6,366 acres with a normal pool area of 297 acres and the safe withdrawal capacity is only 800,000 gallons per day.

​

CURRENT STATUS OF RESERVOIR PLANNING/CONSTRUCTION

​

*Land acquisition for the reservoir was complete in June 2021.

​

*HDR is currently working to update the project plan as required by NRCS to be eligible for construction funding. This updated plan is estimated to be complete in December 2022.

​

*It is anticipated that final design and permitting will take an additional 2 years after the project plan update is complete therefore the current goal is let construction contracts in early 2025. Construction is expected to take about 2.5 years. Depending on rainfall and runoff conditions it is estimated that it will take between 30 weeks and 3 years for the reservoir to fill.

​

*The total anticipated cost of the reservoir is $96 million. The break down is as follows: Dam/reservoir $52 million, Water Supply infrastructure $17 million, Transportation $19 million, Professional Services $8 million.

*Current funding discussions anticipate that approximately $80 million is available through Federal and State programs to fund the project.

​

*In addition click on the link to read the  letter from SIRWA and their commitment to the project.

​

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program which is a part of the American Rescue Plan was applied for on the city's behalf in July 2021. The City of Murray was awarded their maximum award of $104,614.62. This monetary award came with stipulations for use which can be found at https://www.govinfo.gov/.../FR-2022-01-27/pdf/2022-00292.pdf

The city council has chosen to invest these funds in the following manner:

$21,250 for water meter endpoints

$28,450 for a sewer line for the Rec Complex

$54,914.62 for potential new housing infrastructure