Pike County Public Water Supply

Over the past 24 hours, many residents have reached out regarding a notice from Public Water Supply District #1 (PWSD #1). I want to provide clear and accurate information to our community. The City has received formal notice that an outstanding balance of approximately $20,000 must be paid by May 1 to avoid disruption of wholesale water service. This balance accumulated over several months due to ongoing governance challenges. In addition, recent infrastructure strain caused by increased water pressure from the new pipeline led to multiple system leaks in older areas of town. While those issues have now largely been repaired, the cost of those emergency repairs significantly reduced available operating funds. It is important for residents to understand how City finances are legally structured. Municipal funds are restricted by law and ordinance to their designated purposes. For example, funds in the sewer account cannot simply be transferred to pay water expenses without formal approval by the Board of Aldermen and compliance with state law. Likewise, federal ARPA funds are restricted to specific, pre-approved uses and cannot be redirected to cover outstanding utility bills. Since January, multiple attempts have been made to bring payment approvals before the Board of Aldermen. Unfortunately, due to repeated lack of quorum and the inability to secure the required approvals and signatures, the City has been unable to process payments in a timely manner. Under Missouri law and our local ordinances, the Mayor cannot unilaterally issue payments without the required authorization and signatures. This is a safeguard designed to ensure accountability in public spending, but it also means that when the Board is unable to act, essential obligations can go unpaid. The consequences of continued inaction are serious. Failure to meet our financial obligations could result not only in disruption of water service, but also in violations related to certified system operation and ongoing infrastructure projects. Despite these challenges, I remain committed to working toward an immediate resolution and restoring full operational stability. The priority is protecting public health, maintaining compliance with state requirements, and ensuring continued service to our residents. I will continue to provide updates as we work through this situation. Mayor Lynne Luckett