Plattsburg, Mo., city officials Tuesday received permission from residents to proceed with a major improvement to the city’s waterworks system.

A $6.2 million bond issue for the project passed by an unofficial margin of 224 to 88 in the municipal election. The positive vote gives the city leverage toward securing federal stimulus funds designed specifically for water systems, said City Manager D.J. Gehrt.

“I was extremely happy,” he said of the results. “I believe we’re far ahead in the game ... This is a huge step.”

In November, Mr. Gehrt said he succeeded in convincing city officials to use existing fund balances to finance specifications and plans. It potentially places Plattsburg ahead or at least competitive with other Missouri cities seeking federal water project funds, he said.

“It was one of those decisions not easy for the council to make,” he added.

It’s now up to agencies such as the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program to begin steering Plattsburg’s water improvements into reality. The Missouri Water/Wastewater Review Committee also will play a role.

“They’ve pretty much been on hold, waiting on local governments to come up with these local financing instruments,” Mr. Gehrt said of the agencies. “I know they’re very anxious.”

He estimated the awarding of contracts could occur as early as late summer or early fall.

The Plattsburg water plant has approached capacity production in recent years, but could not sustain such a high rate without an upgrade.

Elsewhere in other unofficial regional election results:

➤ Mercer County voters rejected a proposal to abolish townships by a count of 814-138. The county commission placed the issue on the ballot after receiving citizen petitions. Organizers said that the county’s nine townships had outlived their usefulness and resulted in unequal budgets for road maintenance and snow removal.

In a related vote, residents defeated a proposal to levy an additional 35 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the county road and bridge fund. The tally was 747 votes to 200.

➤ In Daviess County, voters renewed a 5-cent levy per $100 of assessed valuation for senior citizens’ services. The measure passed by 1,258 votes to 172.

A review of property tax rates by State Auditor Susan Montee discovered that the county was among 24 jurisdictions that levied a non-compliant tax in 2007. Those rates were found to be off by a fraction of a cent due to a dispute in a ballot interpretation, forcing the need for a new election.

Tax revenue helps fund home-delivered meals and related services at senior centers in Gallatin and Pattonsburg.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.