Bryant opposes rate hike (9/21/04)

Portland City Council president Glen Bryant voiced strong opposition Monday evening to a possible increase in municipal water service fees.

During the Sept. 7 council meeting, Todd Samuelson of H.J. Umbaugh & Associates of Plymouth suggested council members consider increasing water utility rates by $1.11 per month, based on an average monthly usage of 4,000 gallons. He made the recommendation based on his study of the city’s water and sewer utility rates. Monthly sewer rates would remain the same.

If the rate hike were passed, those who use an average of 2,500 gallons per month would see a 70 cent hike, and a 5,000 gallons user’s bill would increase by $1.40 per month.

Although some council members had little to say Monday night, Bryant said he was concerned the proposed increase might not be necessary. The $400,000 per year the city currently pays in bonds will be paid off in three years, so there will be extra money for the water department, he said.

“We will probably be in pretty good shape in three years,” he said.

Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said an increase in water fees would be a good idea because it will help the city better prepare for future projects.

City clerk-treasurer Barbara Blackford said the money raised from the increase could help pay for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project, the Lincoln Street project and the Industrial Park Drive lift station project. She said funding for the projects comes from city taxes and sewer and water fees. Monthly municipal water fees have not increased since 1994, she added.

Councilman Dolphus Stephens said he can see how the city will need the extra money from users’ fees for future projects.

The sewer fees were increased a few years ago because of upcoming projects, Blackford said.

“When we raised the sewer (fee), we raised it a lot and it was not fun,” said Stephens.

Stephens asked Hosier if the proposed increase was approved by the council, how soon would another increase be needed. Hosier said he hopes a study on water and sewer rates would be conducted every five to 10 years.

“I see (the rate increase) as maybe not a great thing, but something I can live with,” Stephens said.

Portland resident Randy Wehrly said he didn’t think the fee increase was necessary because of the water department’s high revenue.

“I don’t see a reason to pass this expense onto the citizens of Portland,” he said. “I think the council needs to look at this very seriously before (making a decision.)”

A $200 increase in municipal sewer tap line fees and a $140 jump in water tap line fees also were suggested at the Sept. 7 meeting by Samuelson. These proposals, which cover the cost of connecting to the city’s waterline and sewer line, were not discussed at Monday’s meeting.

Hosier said a public hearing of all the proposed fee increases is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Oct. 4.

Also Monday, the council voted to allow a portion of Bridge Street to be closed between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday for a block party at First Church of the Nazarene.

Fred Grenier, pastor of the church, said he would like the section adjacent to the 920 S. Bridge St. church’s lot closed so people can cross the street easier. Street and park superintendent Jeff Harker and Portland Police Chief Bob Sours said they did not have any problems with the street being closed.

In other business, Hosier suggested council members consider moving trick-or-treating hours to Oct. 30 because Halloween falls on a Sunday this year. He said the matter will be voted on at the Oct. 4 meeting.

Also Monday, Harker said the last city clean-up days of the year will be Oct. 4-8. Large items such as brush, furniture, refrigerators and air conditioners will be collected. Freon must be removed from all appliances.[[In-content Ad]]