Alderman Bob Hurlbut said Tuesday the city council may need to find the political will to use 2012 funding already earmarked for various projects as it seeks ways to pay for the rebuilding or replacement of the Canyon Lake Dam spillway.

Structural issues with the spillway have forced the city to make emergency repairs over the next 45 days, but that will only buy time to plan for a major reconstruction or replacement of the spillway in the next year or two. The long-term fix is estimated to cost between $3 million and $4 million.

Hurlbut believes a number of 2012 projects scheduled to receive funding this year are not ready to move forward and won't need money this year. He also believes the city needs to at least consider 2012 money as a funding source for the dam project.

Hurlbut said that when Ellsworth Air Force Base faced closure, the council talked about the potential impact on sales-tax revenue and the 2012 program. He sees the spillway project in a similar vein.

"We specifically discussed that if Ellsworth closed, all bets were off. Well, if the dam needs to be replaced, that may be another all bets are off. We may need to find the will to make this work," Hurlbut said.

Other council members agreed. The public works committee voted 3-2 on Tuesday to compile a list of potential funding sources that could be used to pay for the spillway project.

Alderman Sam Kooiker said he isn't sure the council has the will to delay or divert 2012 funding but that but it should be considered.

Council members Lloyd LaCroix and Karen Gundersen Olson voted against the proposal. LaCroix said the council should wait until it has a better idea of what the spillway project will cost before it starts trying to find funding sources.

Mayor Alan Hanks said it will be important to find funding for the spillway project but agreed with LaCroix. He expects to have a better idea about the cost in about 45 days after a consultant is hired and begins designing the project.

Part of the consultant's responsibilities, Hanks said, will be to help find funding sources. He said the city has already started investigating potential state and federal sources.

"We're going to look at every possibility as far as putting money together," Hanks said.

The committee will continue funding discussions at its April 15 meeting.

Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415 or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com