Wright City leaders have confirmed their decision to sell the city’s water and sewer systems. Voters will be asked for final approval of the sale during the April municipal election.The city’s board of aldermen voted Thursday, Jan. 11, to approve a sale agreement with Public Water Supply District No. 2 of St. Charles County. If voters approve the sale, the water district will pay $10.5 million to take ownership of the city’s network of pipes, wells, treatment system and other water and sewer facilities.Two-thirds of voters would have to vote in favor for the sale to be approved, City Clerk Karen Girondo said.Residents who currently receive water or sewer service from Wright City would then become customers of the water district. Service rates for Wright City customers would be kept the same for five years as part of the sale agreement. After that, the water district would set the rates.The city began looking for a buyer for its sewer system last year. Officials said system upgrades mandated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources have become too expensive and are set to cost the city millions.During negotiations, the water district also expressed interest in purchasing the city’s water system.“In my estimation (the sale is) going to be a major improvement for our city over this year and beyond,” said Mayor Dan Rowden. Money from the sale will pay for major investments in the community, he said. “It will eliminate us having to spend extensive money to fix the sewer system.”The question for the city’s voters on the April 3 election ballot will ask:“Shall the City of Wright City be authorized to sell the City public water supply system and the City wastewater collection and treatment system, together with certain land and equipment, substantially according to the terms of an agreement between the City and Public Water Supply District #2 of St. Charles County?”If voters say no, the sale agreement will immediately be terminated.If the sale goes through, the city will receive its $10.5 million payment, which will be invested in infrastructure and new park space, Rowden said.Proceeds from the sale will also be used to pay off about $2.2 million of existing debt from past upgrades to the sewer system, Girondo said.The decision to put the sale on the April ballot was approved by the Wright City Board of Aldermen with a 4-0 vote Jan. 11.“I would encourage citizens to ask your alderman what the deal is, what’s going on,” said Ward 1 Alderman Kerry Lambright.The board of aldermen meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Wright City Hall. Meetings are open to the public and include time for public commentary. The next meeting is Jan. 25.Wright City signRecord photo