Four Corners Water and Sewer District Secures Financing and PSC Approval

After months of extensive effort and community outreach, the Four Corners Water and Sewer Board can confidently plan for its future as a public entity. On Tuesday, October 6, 2015, the Public Service Commission (PSC) put the final stamp of approval on the purchase of this initiative. The sale guarantees ownership of water and sewage rights, which were formerly owned and managed by Utility Solutions.

“We are very excited to be a permanent part of the future of the Four Corners Area. We look forward to having the water and sewer system under public ownership and providing the best possible service at the lowest possible price," stated Cory Klumb, President of the Four Corners Water and Sewer Board, on behalf of the entire Four Corners Water and Sewer Board. The board is made up of five residents of the district: Cory Klumb, Heather West, Valerie Gravage, Nancy Flikkema, and Ed Schmidt.

This first major milestone of this sale began with a public vote in May, which authorized the district to sell bonds to fund the acquisition. The ballot passed with a nearly unanimous vote of 95% in its favor. Once the vote passed, the District was able to proceed forward with acquiring the funding, and PSC approval was needed to finalize the sale.

Funding for this sale came from a few entities. A major player who aided the Board in securing funding was Steve Troendle, director of community programs for the Montana State Office of Rural Development. “Four Corners Water and Sewer District took a major step in defining the future of their community with the purchase of the water and waste infrastructure. USDA Rural Development strives to assist rural areas in meeting their infrastructure needs and is pleased to partner with the State of Montana, Montana State Revolving Fund and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conversation programs to assist Four Corners with the purchase,” said Troendle.

Another instrumental agency was the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Anna Miller, Financial Bureau Chief for the Conservation and Resources Development Division, said, “The District has worked for a long time to accomplish its goal to serve the people who live in the Four Corners area. I’m so pleased to see their vision become a reality. I’m glad to play a small part in helping the District and thank the District for all their hard work.”

Now that all of the mandated steps have been completed, the Board will work with Utility Solutions to create a seamless transition to ensure that services will continue as smoothly as possible for all residents living in the designated areas.

Four Corners Water and Sewer System
The district boundaries include Durston Road to the north, approximately Lower Rainbow Road to the south, Jackrabbit Lane and U.S. Highway 191 to the east, and roughly the West Gallatin River to the west. The district also includes the noncontiguous subdivisions of Black Bull Run, Middle Creek Parkland, Triple Creek Meadow, and Gallatin Heights.

Questions regarding this sale can be directed to: Susan B. Swimley, Attorney and Counselor at Law

(406) 586-5544