BLAND — Bland officials are continuing to search for an affordable way to remove aging water towers after estimates discussed during the Sept. 14 Board of Aldermen meeting placed the potential cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Officials said two towers eventually need to be removed, including one described during the meeting as rusting from the inside. The board discussed previous estimates for removing the structures, with approximately $80,000 cited as the lowest ballpark figure and specialized companies reportedly estimating costs between $100,000 and $150,000.

“Companies that actually fly and do that and get up that high and do that work, they were like $100,000 to $150,000,” Rodney Turner, public works director, said.

No contract was approved.

Instead, board members discussed finding outside funding to reduce the burden on the city. One possibility discussed was seeking business donations through a Missouri tax-credit program. Officials said they believed participating businesses could receive a state tax credit equal to approximately half of an eligible donation, although details of the program were not verified during the meeting.

“I know. There’s a certain way you got to take them down, but still,”  Alderman Shari Morgan said.

Officials also questioned whether federal funding might be available and said they would continue checking potential funding sources.

The board took no formal action on the towers.