By Jef Rietsma
Journal Correspondent
St. Joseph County officials are expected to decide whether to offer the county’s strong credit rating to support a major sewer-system project in White Pigeon Township.
At their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners received an update from engineer Ken Jones, on behalf of the White Pigeon sewer authority. He said the county’s involvement would help the White Pigeon agency secure an interest rate much more attractive than what it would secure on its own.
“The best way for the township and the village – who are the owners of the White Pigeon sewer system – to fund the project is to partner with the county to issue a bond,” he said. “In most cases, our ability to get a reasonable interest without the full faith and credit of the county would be pretty counterproductive. Our interest rate would be much higher than what we think we’re going to receive by partnering with the county.”