Hannibal Board of Public Works continues efforts for Stormwater solution after Prop S voted down

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal Board of Public Works restated its commitment to solving Hannibal’s stormwater problem in the wake of the city’s vote on Tuesday not to approve Proposition S.

Hannibal Board of Public Works General Manager Darrin Gordon said in a press release the HBPW “is still tasked with and deeply concerned with the health and upkeep of our stormwater infrastructure. Unfortunately, the system will continue to degrade. However, we will strive to come up
with a solution that the citizens of Hannibal will support.

A passing of Proposition S would have authorized the HBPW to implement a taxation method that
would pay for critical repairs and provide long-term funding for the maintenance and upkeep of Hannibal’s underground stormwater system.

“However, due to a lack of funding, the HBPW will continue to reinforce infrastructure problems with a combination of steel plates, road closures and other precautions to prioritize the safety of Hannibal citizens,” the press release said.

HBPW’s reported their next efforts will be consulting with their Board of Directors as well as City Officials on identifying alternative strategies to fund the repairs and maintenance of Hannibal’s aging stormwater conveyance system.

He thanked the 15 members of the citizen committee who came together in February and looked for a solution to propose that was fair to all then went into the community in support of the proposition.

“We must generously thank the Concerned Citizens for Stormwater Improvements
Committee for their tireless efforts to create the proposed tax structure, to educate the community on
the need and reasoning for the proposition, and their herculean effort in spreading the word,” Gordon said.