As part of an agreement between Buckley and the state’s Department of Social and Health Services, a construction plan will soon snap into place providing for a new sewer main that will allow Rainier State School to connect to the city’s new sewer system.

When the higher-than-usual 19 bids poured in, the lowest was offered by Johansen Excavating at almost $1.54 million. The bid was not only 30 percent less than anticipated, it was also half the amount of the second-lowest bid.

When the city ran a reference check, the contractor came highly recommended from the cities of Kirkland and Algona, which reported that Johansen Excavating had done well and accommodated the clients’ needs.

When the city initiated the design concept for the new wastewater treatment plant it had accrued more than $12 million in state and federal money with which to complete the project.

Part of that funding was earmarked for the tie-in with Rainier School.

“The funding for this project had already been set aside a long time ago, so paying for this project will pose no hardship on the city’s budget,” City Administrator David Schmidt said.

Reach John Leggett at jleggett@courierherald.com or 360-802-8207.