Ah, for the good old days when federal money was available to help pay for the work the federal government orders.

Fayette continues to seek help with its sewer projects that are required to meet federal clean water rules. Morenci residents continue to pay for doing the same.

When Morenci first faced orders from the state environmental agency to stop sewer overflows, city council balked at taking on the necessary work. The money wasn’t in the budget and there was a hesitation to increase local taxes to qualify for funding.

It’s unfortunate, because at that time federal grants could have covered up to 75 percent of the cost. Eventually, the city faced the option of cleaning up or paying fines.

When engineering for the large project got underway in the early 1990s, the federal government was in tax-cutting mode and funds for infrastructure work had pretty much dried up.

Starting in 1992, every Morenci property owner was assessed about $200 annually to pay for the project. The 20-year payment schedule continues through 2011, although the annual payment shrinks a little each year.

Fayette is attacking their sewer separation project in pieces and the bulk of the work is yet to be accomplished. Once again, federal funding is hard to come by and residents will be forced to pay most of the cost.

Elected officials in Washington are pleased to announce tax cuts and many take pledges to never increase taxpayers’ financial burden.

Of course that’s not exactly true. When tax cuts are approved, the financial burden is generally passed on to residents through shrinking state, county and local revenue sources. And in Fayette’s case, through the reduction in federal help to meet federal guidelines.

While tax cut boasts are made in Washington, local infrastructure needs continue to increase.