Gregg Freeman got the endorsements on Tuesday he has been asking for.
The chairman of the Camp Verde Sanitary District was not only elected to a four year term on the board, he received the district voters' approval to refinance the district's loans and borrow what will be needed to complete the district's expansion project.
Freeman received 684votes according to the unofficial results.
The ballot question to refinance the district's loan and acquire new financing up to $2 million was pass-ing by a 513-455 margin. The second ballot issue, which would allow refinancing of the loan being paid for by the Town of Camp Verde was passing 516-438.
Freeman, who was appointed to the board in February and elected chairman in April, has been a staunch supporter of the controversial refinance package, arguing that now was the time to give the board the authority, not a year from now.
Opponents had argued the district should wait to refinance or borrow any new money until they had a better idea of the project's final shortfall.
Freeman said he would waste little time getting the refinance package secured.
"We are checking interest rates, watching which direction they are going. Right now they are a little above 3.75 percent, but the word is they will be going down," said Freeman, "We should know more by next week."
Freeman said the district is also close to a partial settlement on the repairs of the failed aeration tank at the wastewater treatment plant.
"We are getting close -- very close. We should be getting some money real soon," said Freeman.
Freeman said Tuesday's vote has left him both grateful and optimistic.
"I thank the voters for voting me in, but just as importantly I thank them for and passing the ballot measures," said Freeman, "It think it was a good move for the district. I believe we are on the right track."
The district voters also elected Chip Norton to fill the other remaining seat on the board. Norton is a retired construction manager with experience in constructing wastewater treatment plants.
"I don't know if it's congratulations of condolences," quipped Norton on Wednesday morning, "Half the calls I have received are one and half are the other."
Norton received 585 votes out of 1,081 votes cast according to the preliminary totals. Freeman received 684 votes.
There were 75 votes cast for the two write in candidates for the two open seats, Bob Burnside and Mike Garrison. A final tally on those votes may not be available for a week.
