Camrose County has started a local-improvement process that could help pay for a proposed $3.98-million rehabilitation of the Ferintosh wastewater lagoon.

Council gave first reading to Bylaw 1595 at its Sept. 22 meeting, according to highlights published by the county Sept. 29.

First reading begins the formal process but does not give final approval to the project, a grant or a levy.

The county is applying for provincial funding that would cover 75 per cent of eligible costs if the application is approved.

A local-improvement levy is being considered for costs not covered by provincial funding. The county has not yet published a final levy amount for individual properties.

Affected landowners are to receive information about the proposed plan and will have 30 days to submit a petition.

The county has also scheduled an open house in Ferintosh on Oct. 15. The session is intended to give residents project information and an opportunity to ask questions.

A local improvement is a municipal project financed in whole or in part by a levy on properties considered to benefit from the work. Provincial law sets notice and petition requirements before a council may proceed.

The lagoon serves the hamlet’s wastewater system. Rehabilitation work is intended to maintain the system and address infrastructure needs, but the county highlights do not provide a construction schedule or detailed engineering scope.

The cost estimate could also change as design, funding and procurement work continues.

Council dealt separately with wastewater work in Round Hill. It approved $110,000 from the Sewer Reserve to remove accumulated sludge before rehabilitation work planned for this fall.

The county said the Round Hill work should reduce the risk of flow restrictions, improve construction access and help keep the wastewater system operating during upgrades.

Camrose County cautions that its meeting highlights are for information and are not the official record. Minutes become official after approval at a later council meeting.

For Ferintosh landowners, the next steps are the county notice, the 30-day petition period and the Oct. 15 open house.