After decades of debate, Sisters has taken the plunge and approved the funding of a municipal sewer system.

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Unofficial results as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, showed that Sisters voters decided by a 197-117 margin to approve $7 million in revenue bonds for the project. The remainder of the $12.1 million project is to be funded through grants.

According to county election officials, the absentee ballots that remained to be counted Wednesday afternoon were not enough to influence the outcome.

"I think that it's a decisive win," said Mayor Steve Wilson. "This election wasn't just an election about a sewer system, it was a decision about how we're going to face our challenges as a community.

"The community clearly said we're going to take care of the whole community and it's time for the sewer system," Wilson said.

Libby Bottero, an outspoken sewer opponent said she accepts the voters' decision, but she is still concerned about hidden costs involved in the proposals for disposal of effluent from the sewer system.

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"I don't think it's the best solution for the environment and I don't think it's the best solution for the town," Bottero said.

The Sisters City Council narrowly approved rate guidelines for the project at their Thursday, May 14, meeting.

In a 3-2 vote, the council vowed that monthly rates will be held to $39 or less for residents and $39 per "equivalent dwelling unit" for businesses.

The council promised to go back to the voters if expected grant funds do not materialize and monthly rates must be higher to finance loans for the project.

Councilor Tim Clasen said he voted against the cap because he believes the council should consider charging higher rates for businesses.

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Under the proposed rate structure, businesses are to pay a minimum of $39/EDU, whether they use a full EDU in water or not. Businesses that use more water are to be charged accordingly.

Councilor Gordon Petrie said he did not want to make citizens think the city council can guarantee a rate cap, since councils change.

"This business about going back to the voters is not totally controlled by us," Petrie said.

Councilors Sheryl Whent and Kathy Pittman voted in favor of the cap, and Mayor Steve Wilson broke the tie.

The council split along the same lines in a vote "for the historical record" on support for the sewer project.

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Though approval at the ballot box launches the project, engineers estimate that it will take three years to secure the necessary grant money and to get the system up and running.

"Now I go to work and we get the grant money and we move forward," Mayor Wilson said.