WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2026|
Photo – 2022 sewer replacement project on Spring Avenue – Bigfoot99 file photo
The State Loan and Investment Board approved an additional funding request from the town of Saratoga to complete the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Collection System Improvements Project.
On October 1st, the State Loan and Investment Board met to, among other matters, consider two requests for additional support from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which is a loan program that provides low‑interest financing for local water infrastructure projects. The first request came from the city of Gillette, which asked for a $4 million loan increase for wastewater treatment plant work. The second was Saratoga’s request for $689,443.08, including $344,721.54 in principal forgiveness at an interest rate of 1.5 percent. The Office of State Lands and Investments recommended approving both requests.
Saratoga-based Engineering Associates is handling the design work for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Collection System Improvements Project. Professional Engineer Craig Kopasz explained to the State Loan and Investment Board that the project involves replacing two deteriorating sewer lines running beneath the North Platte River.
Kopasz said the additional loan will be used to pay Oftedal Construction of Casper to finish the project.
Saratoga had already received a $3.15 million loan from the State Revolving Fund last year. However, when the town put the river sewer‑crossing project out for bid, the lowest estimate from Oftedal Construction, combined with an additional 20 percent for engineering and related costs, brought the total to $3,839,443.08. That left $689,443.08 of the project unfunded.
Speaking at the September 2nd Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner recommended applying for another loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to cover the remaining costs. To keep the project on schedule, Penner urged the council to accept Oftedal Construction’s bid before receiving approval from the State Loan and Investment Board.
After holding a public hearing, the Saratoga Town Council voted to hire Oftedal Construction and seek another state loan.
At the October 1st State Loan and Investment Board meeting, both, Gillette’s and Saratoga’s, loan requests were unanimously approved. Had the Board denied Saratoga’s request, the remaining cost of the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Collection System Improvements Project would have come from the town’s sewer enterprise fund.
