Delaware County supervisors holding forum for funding Lake Delhi dam repairs

The Lake Delhi dam breached, flooding lake homes downstream more than a year and a half ago. Since then, the community has come together to try to find a way to rebuild it.

Last November, people who live around the lake approved a bond issue for more than $6 million to restore the dam.

Now, Delaware County is looking for more ways to fund the repairs. Wednesday night, the board of supervisors will host a public forum to talk money with residents and business owners.

The issue at hand is a $3 million emergency bond. The board is considering issuing the bond, which it has the power to do without a countywide vote. First, supervisors want to hear what residents think of the proposal, especially because the bond would mean an increase in property taxes across the county.

"We've all survived the last 19 months since the breach, and there's a lot of interest in the supervisors approving a $3 million emergency bond, and there are some that don't want us to do that but there are still a lot of people with questions,"  said Delaware County Supervisor Shirley Helmrichs.

Supervisors said they were anxious to get going on repairs.

"I've said a number of times if we could just turn that clock back and put everything back in place, but we know we can't do that. So we all just need to move forward and look ahead,” Helmrichs said.

The $3 million is a piece of the funding needed to repair the gaping hole in the dam and earthen levee. Overall, it's a $11.9 million project. County leaders believe they could secure state funding if they show state legislators that residents are willing to help pay to fix the dam.

Some people living near the lake bed believe time is running out.

"We need to understand the economy that we are really changing very drastically if we do not do this soon, people who have not been here very many years definitely will be leaving soon,” said Delhi Resident Marcheta Cooey.

The board will listen to feedback at the public forum on Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m. at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Pavilion.

County leaders will consider the concerns as they decide how to move forward with the $3 million bond. Supervisor Helmrichs said the board will vote on the $3 million bond on March 5.