Fort water, sewer rates are going up (11/21/06)

FORT RECOVERY - For the first time since 1993, it looks like water and sewage rates are going to increase here.

Village council members Monday night agreed to look at a proposed ordinance that would increase basic rates from $24 to $27.50 per month.

The ordinance is expected to get final approval during the council's last meeting in December.

Village administrator Randy Diller explained that customers can calculate the increase will amount to about an additional $1 per each 1,000 gallons of water used.

With the increase the village's water department will see about $33,000 more annually for operating expenses and the sewage treatment department's available funds for operational expenses will increase by about $17,000 annually as well.

"This will allow the departments to continue to operate without subsidizing their funds," Diller explained about regular transfers of money to those departments. "We also need to make some sizable improvements to those plants.

"This will get us on keel to operate and maintain those systems," he added.

Diller said he would have a final ordinance for council's approval in place for the Dec. 4 meeting, and it is expected to be adopted Dec. 18.

Concerning those services, Diller explained the village will no provide water or sewage services to residents outside the corporation limits unless the landowner permits the property to be annexed and those who currently have one or the other of those services will also see an increase in rates.

Rates for those residents will increase by $15 per month if there is only water or sewage and they will see an additional $20 if both services are provided.

Additionally Monday night the council learned that because of the passage of Issue 2, an Ohio constitutional amendment, in the recent election the minimum wage will now go from $5.15 to $6.85 per hour.

That increase applies to village employees, such as lifeguards at the swimming pool, and workers in the village's parks. Although the state's minimum wage was $5.15, municipalities were exempt from paying that wage for seasonal parttime workers. That was also voted out, Diller explained.

"There is not a thing we can do about it," Diller said of the increase.

In other financial matters, the council passed wage ordinances for employees, elected officials, and attorney Dave Bruns.

Diller also explained that costs for health insurance for the town's employees, provided by Consumer Life Insurance will increase by 15 percent in 2007.

Toward health insurance coverage for the village's nine employees, the town currently pays $335 per month. Those with additional family members on the plan pay costs over that amount.

"For some those costs have more than doubled," Diller said.

Diller also told council members that he plans to have applications for another police officer ready for the council's review by the Dec. 4 meeting as well.

He said applications for the position would be taken until Dec. 1.

The village will be hiring another officer after former patrolman, Jerod Laux, was hired as the new police chief.

Council members also approved on first reading an ordinance barring semi-rigs from parking on Fort Site Street.

The ordinance came after concern for a stone wall on the west side of the Fort Recovery Historical Museum which began to show damage from the vibration of trucks left running there.

Commercial trucks and 18-wheelers will be permitted to park on the street although lightweight trucks and cars will be allowed to park in four available spots to the north of the wall.

Diller said signs will be put into place and will be enforced.[[In-content Ad]]