ATLANTA — The Montmorency Board of Commissioners on Wednesday shot down a proposal to distribute funds for the Westwind Homeowners Association that would have helped pay for sand dredging in the Twin Lakes canal.

Board member Dave Wagner proposed the motion for the property owners after they received an invoice in excess of $16,000 for dredging that needs to be done on either end of the canal, which Wagner said is impassable.

Work is expected to start in the next few weeks.

The homeowners association, which is comprised of about 38 residents, was hoping to get a 50 percent match on the bill after paying a $7,000 deposit.

Wagner said he has searched for grants, but has been unable to find anything that would help with this particular matter.

Wagner suggested they give about $4,000, with the number being dropped to $2,000 in the actual motion.

The funds would have potentially come from money the county has earmarked for invasive species. Wagner said the waterflow has been affected in the canal and that is causing numerous problems.

“The waterflow has stopped and now they are getting a tremendous amount of growth,” Wagner said.

He also said that it is an area with a lot of aquatic plants such as milifoil and the lack of waterflow is contributing to its growth.

Treasurer Jean Klein made it clear that she did not feel it was in the best interest of the board to give the property owners association money, as it would set a precedent for other homeowners to come forward and ask for money that is not necessarily a financial responsibility for the county.

“I honestly wouldn’t feel good about doing this,” Jean said. “This is a luxury item, for luxury homes.”

The motion was shot down with only one ‘yes,’ from Wagner.

Kaitlin Ryan can be reached at kryan@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 989-358-5693.