The department and the department of natural resources and conservation shall evaluate projects and loan applications. In evaluating projects and applications, the following factors must be considered:

1. (1) the technical design of the project to ensure compliance with all applicable statutes, rules, and design standards;
2. (2) the financial capacity of the applicant;
3. (3) the financial, managerial, and technical ability of the applicant to properly operate and maintain the project;
4. (4) the total financing of the project to ensure completion;
5. (5) the viability of the public water system;
6. (6) the ability of the public water system to pay the costs of the project without the requested financial assistance;
7. (7) the total amount of loan funds available for financial assistance in the revolving fund;
8. (8) the total amount requested by other applications that have been received or that are likely to be received;
9. (9) the ranking of the project on the priority list in the intended use plan; and
10. (10) any other criteria that the department determines to be appropriate, considering the purposes of the program and the federal act.

History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 553, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 538, L. 1997.