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No relief in sight as ater rates to climb
No relief in sight as ater rates to climb
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Burton Village residents will begin to get a closer look at the true costs of operating the village's water and sewage systems.
The village's board of public affairs sat down last week to review costs for operating those systems and attempt to come up with a fair way for residents to pay for them through rates.
The board agreed that a 50 percent hike in water and sewer rates will be needed in 2011 to begin providing the money needed to keep those operations in good shape.
The board is expected to introduce legislation at its Jan. 11 meeting and act on it at its Feb. 15 meeting. Their actions will apply to water rates in the village. A similar action will be needed by Village Council to adjust sewer rates.
Board members began their session by looking at costs for maintaining and replacing the system that provides sewer and water to the village.
Officials with the Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program, or RCAP, visited with officials last summer, urging the village to raise rates to provide funds that could be used for maintaining the system. One recommendation by the group was to raise rates by as much as 73 percent.
Currently, the village's income through its rates provides less than half of those costs, village Fiscal Officer Christopher Paquette said.
He estimated the village needs approximately $497,983 each year to provide the money needed to be able to replace and maintain the equipment.
"That means you have to double your revenues to be able to pay for the system," village Engineer George "Chip" Hess said.
The board looked at four scenarios of possible rate hikes, including one that was based on the size of the pipe coming into a business or home. All were based on trying to provide the money to meet the $500,000 need.
The board decided the 50 percent hike, with 3 percent increases in each of the next three subsequent years, would be the best approach.
Board member Curt Johnson said while the hike is significant, it is something he, personally, would rather see. "As a user, I'd rather get whacked the first time and have it a little easier in the future," he said.
Other scenarios that were rejected would have included increases such as 16 percent, followed by a 35 percent increase, followed by two, 10 percent increases. Mr. Johnson said that would be harder for him to accept than the 50 percent followed by three, 3 percent hikes.
Residents now pay a base rate of $21 for water service and $41 for sewer.
Mr. Hess said the 50 percent hike would cost users about 36 cents a day.
Councilman Charles Hauser said it makes sense to go with the 50 percent hike, rather than a 30 percent. "I can't see 30 percent if it's going to keep us in the red for three years with things costing more each year," he said.
Mayor Thomas Blair Sr. said while the action is necessary, he cannot help but think it will hurt those on fixed incomes the hardest.
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