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Politics & Government

City to Issue Bonds to Fight Emerald Ash Borer

Bond will cover expenses incurred, including tree removal and replanting.

St. Charles officials plan to issue bonds to fight the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer.

The Government Operations Committee, which met immediately following Monday night's City Council meeting, supported the plan to pay to fight the beetles. Officials alsog gave unanimous consent to a resolution of official intent to reimburse themselves for any expense between now and issuance of the bonds. Reimbursement will begin 60 days prior to passage of the ordinance, Finance Director Chris Minick said.

Minick did not express a value of the bonds that will be issued to fight the borer.

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The money raised from the bonds will be used for tree removal and replanting, among other ways to fight the infestation.

In addition to issuing bonds to fight the infestation, the city is participating in n the Legacy Tree Project, a five-year program in partnership with Valent Professional Products to prevent tree loss resulting from emerald ash borers.

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About 4,000 ash trees are currently found in St. Charles parkways, with another 10,000 to 15,000 on private property. To combat the spread, the City has removed nearly 1,500 affected ash trees and applied preventive treatment to about 500 trees.

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