Defenders say the city's coastal perch is deceivingly beautiful and needs state funds.
The funds are provided through the board's Economically Distressed Areas Program and will replace septic systems with a sewer system to be used by 285 residences and to serve nine commercial connections within the city. Designs for the project, which will include 31,300 feet of collection mains, two lift stations and 84 manholes, should be completed in six months, said Leonard Olson, water development board spokesman. Wastewater will be treated at the city of Ingleside's wastewater treatment plant. But Mary Beth Nelson, who sent a protest letter to the water development board, said the survey was flawed. She said the survey did not ask respondents for documentation of their earnings.