Discussion set for rate hike

A hike in city sewer rates will be discussed later this month by Portland City Council.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said Tuesday night that he will meet with city consultants Greg Guerrettaz and Sue Beesley Friday to discuss proposed sewer rate increases.
He said the matter will be brought before the council at the Jan. 17 meeting.
In November, Hosier said city sewer rates must go up due to the cost of future storm and sanitary sewer separation projects, such as a north side sewer separation project expected to cost $5.8 million.
Guerrettaz has proposed that sewer rates increase by 30 percent this year and 27 percent in 2012.
Sewer bills for city residents are based on the amount of water used each month. For a customer using 6,000 gallons of water, the bill would increase to $39.72 from $30.55 this year, and to $50.44 per month with the proposed 27 percent hike in 2011.
Those who live outside the city currently pay a flat rate of $32.10 per month. They would pay $41.73 with this year’s increase, and $52.99 in 2012.
In a related matter, Hosier said Tuesday that the city is still in the running for $2 million in federal earmark funds to help fund the north side sewer separation project.
“We’re still in the ballgame,” he said.
In other business, Hosier asked council members and the public to submit letters of support for the city’s application for the Stellar Communities grant program.
The city is one of the 12 finalists for the grant program, which will award $4 to $5 million to two communities. The letters of support should be submitted by Jan. 14 and can be dropped off at the mayor’s office at city hall or mailed to: Mayor Bruce Hosier, City of Portland, 321 N. Meridian St., Portland, IN 47371. The grant application is due Jan. 21, and the winners should be announced in March.
If awarded, the city would use the grant funds to help fund the north side sewer separation project, the Lafayette Street extension project, to rehabilitate homes on the city’s north side and to construct a sidewalk along West Votaw Street.[[In-content Ad]]