Marthasville city officials postponed awarding an engineering contract to fix an ongoing stormwater issue that floods the backyards of several residences between Tiffany’s Court and Daniel’s Trail until reviewing proposals further. Proposals from three firms — Cochran Engineering, Wunderlich Surveying and Engineering and Lewis-Bade Engineering Inc. — were reviewed briefly at Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting. All three companies were represented at Tuesday’s meeting. Aldermen elected to delay a vote until reviewing the scope of work submitted by each company. A workshop was scheduled Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. to compare the bids. Aldermen, however, cannot vote during the work session and would need to hold a special meeting if the contract would be awarded prior to next month’s board of aldermen meeting. After an engineering firm is chosen and the project designed, the city will seek bids to construct the improvements. City officials are still stressing that the project is a priority. “We’re just gathering information right now,” Alderman Leo Tobben said. “This is a project the board feels we need to move on. Right now (the residences) don’t have a backyard. They just have a swamp. They can’t even cut their grass.” Mayor Dale Verges added: “We need more time to go over them (the engineering proposals).” The project primarily consists of installing a storm sewer system to carry run-off water coming off Hiawatha and carry it underground into a nearby creek. Some regrading of the properties would likely need to be done. Plans were originally designed about five years ago by Lewis-Bade, but the city did not move forward on the project. Due to budget constraints, the city may ask residents who would be affected to contribute to the project. A Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) could be established to help pay for the project. The NID would assess a special tax to each property that would benefit to help generate funds to pay for the work. “Hopefully everyone understands it will be a benefit for everyone back there,” Verges said. City officials said previously the affected property owners will be invited to a future meeting to discuss the project and possible expense.