DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac City Council took a step toward improving city water systems Monday evening.

During its regular meeting Monday, the Dowagiac City Council approved resolutions to purchase, acquire and construct improvements to both the city’s sanitary sewer system and the water supply systems. The city also voted to publish notices of intent to issue revenue bonds for the improvements.

“This isn’t anything new,” said Councilmember Leon Laylin. “This is something we have had on the board and we identified things that needed to be done. What we are doing tonight has been a long time to get to this point.”

Echoing Laylin’s sentiments, City Manager Kevin Anderson said now was the time to work on improvements to the water and sewer system as they have long been planned.

“These are parts of planning documents going back six or seven years, of which we have implemented portions of it,” Anderson said.

Also, part of the reason for the push now is good interest rates and grants being offered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Anderson added.

“I don’t think we will meet every qualifying piece [for the grant], but we are still going to apply for it,” he said. “Interest rates are low, and because they are low, we can do more projects now.”

Anderson said the improvements to the water and sewer systems are needed, and he does not believe that the improvements will increase water and sewer rates for city residents.

Anderson also noted that the improvements will not be funded by taxes. Instead the project will be funded by a portion of the revenue generated by the water and sewer systems.

The improvements will not be implemented right away. Instead, the council will publish notices of intent to issue revenue bonds for the improvements, which does not commit the council to the project.

The notices will be out for 45 days to illicit public comments and concerns. After that time, the council will review the comments and determine how to proceed with the improvement project to the water and sewer systems.

“If there is anything that comes out in that time that would cause us to change course, we can do that,” Anderson said.

Also Monday:

• The council approved a resolution to authorize the purchase of a replacement self-contained breathing apparatus in the amount of $40,054 from West Shore Fire.

• The council voted to approve a proposal from Fence & Garden in the amount of $4,340 to install fencing at the cemetery along Riverside Drive.