OTTAWA — The Ottawa city commissioners have reluctantly decided to certify the city’s levee system. However, they’re even less enthusiastic about how to pay for it. At Monday’s meeting, commissioners discussed their options for paying the $230,000 cost of certifying the levees. City finance officer Scott Bird said the city could use savings from refinancing $2.7 million in city bonds to pay part of the cost. That for the rest of the cost, commissioners discussed a temporary mill levy hike or a temporary surcharge on utility bills. There was no decision. City officials have grumbled because the levees have been redone and are inspected annually. However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency says that without the certification, Ottawa businesses and homeowners would have to pay flood insurance premiums as if the levees weren’t there. That’s one result of the collapse of levees during Hurricane Katrina-related flooding.
Wednesday, June 30, 4 p.m.
