Hearing set on water hike (11/03/2008)

DUNKIRK - A 19 percent water rate increase will be the topic of a public hearing later this month.

Members of the Dunkirk City Council will take public comment on the proposed rate hike on Monday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at city hall.

As discussed at an earlier council session, the rate hike is needed to keep pace with the city water department's operating expenses as well as to allow for needed improvements.

Dunkirk city clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler pointed out that currently city water users are charged $7.49 for the first 100 cubic feet of water, and this figure would increase by $1.42 to $8.91, according to the proposed increase.

A homeowner currently receiving a monthly water bill of $25 would be charged $29.75 under the new rate structure, if approved.

Council members approved setting the time of the public hearing at a special Friday afternoon meeting where bid proposals for improving the city hall basement were also discussed.

Six bids ranging from $6,500 to $21,000 were opened at the Oct. 27 city council meeting for this work which calls for installation of a concrete floor and other improvements for the basement.

Also at the Oct. 27 meeting, Dunkirk Mayor Ron Hunt suggested that perhaps city employees could do the work, if the city purchased the materials.

However, following a review of the bid documents and a recommendation from Jay County engineer Dan Watson in favor of accepting the low bid, council members voted unanimously Friday to award the contract for the work to low bidder, Nick Gibbs Construction of Redkey.

In addition council members agreed to use a portion of the city's share of its Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund money, derived from cigarette tax revenue, to pay for the basement renovation and improvement work at city hall.[[In-content Ad]]