Sewer plant bond backed by Canonsburg, Houston
Both Canonsburg and Houston boroughs agreed to back a $25 million bond for upgrades to the Canonsburg-Houston Joint Authority sewerage plant.
Canonsburg Council passed the motion at its Monday meeting, and Houston officials passed it during a meeting Thursday.
In effect, the authority will float a guaranteed sewer revenue bond, which will be backed by both Canonsburg and Houston boroughs. The final votes this week marked the end of a nine-month discussion about which entity should float the bond.
Plant expansions are needed to accommodate population growth and comply with state Department of Environmental Protection standards.
The authority also is on track to become an operating sewer authority independent of both Canonsburg and Houston boroughs by 2016. Once changes go into effect, plant workers will be directly employed by the authority rather than by Canonsburg.
“Ultimately, what really will happen is the authority is just going to assume all of the duties that Canonsburg handles or that Houston handles,” said Houston Solicitor Josh Carroll.
Carroll said the authority also could have more financial independence to borrow money without seeking consent from the boroughs, but that remains to be determined.