July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Rate hikes delayed (04/05/06)
Geneva Town Council
By By MARY ANN LEWIS-
GENEVA — It was supposed to be simple: Raise water and sewer rates and start collecting a fee for storm water runoff.
Instead it’s turned into a sometimes-heated topic of discussion for the Geneva town council and residents and it appears to be headed back to square one.
Consequently, the council agreed Tuesday night to again put off raising the sewer rate and collecting the storm water fee until more discussion can be held. The proposed ordinance, along with a water rate increase, were expected to be passed at the council’s March meeting.
The water rate increase was passed Tuesday night.
In fact, the council decided Tuesday night to take both the sewage and storm water plans back to Scott A. Houser, CPA with Summers, Carroll, Whisler LLC, Muncie, who drew up the proposed changes, and have him look at other options for implementing increases.
If a new plan is developed, it will require the council to re-advertise the proposed increases and conduct another public hearing.
The concern about the storm water fee was addressed when some industry representatives expressed concern that not all were receiving fair billing.
Red Gold was expected to receive a credit for the work it has done in directing storm water toward the river, but that exception drew the ire of other industry representatives, who would not be offered a credit.
“It’s always about Red Gold,” said Dennis Overdorf, representing J&M Mfg.
Following a lengthy discussion about how the storm water fee is assessed, the council agreed to try to come up with another way to reach the projected annual receipts of $36,000 per year.
“This is a tax,” said town attorney, Chris Harvey, “and no one likes taxes. Once you start making exceptions, where do you stop? You need to be aware of what exceptions would be made and how they would be fair.”
“But you’ve got to remember, this will benefit the entire town,” said town manager, Steve Hampshire about the fund.
The concern about the sewage rates came from residents of Ceylon who, for years, have been paying a flat rate to have their sewage lines tapped into the town’s lines.
The changes would put meters at each of those homes and residents would be charged individually for the amount of sewage put into the system.
In making the recommendation, the council felt it would be a fair way of assessing sewage costs.
Instead, residents expressed their displeasure with the move at a public hearing in March, and the council at that time delayed passage of the ordinance.
Tuesday night, the council agreed to again hold a public meeting to listen to those residents. The meeting is set for Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. in the meeting room above the town hall.
“We’ll set up one more meeting with the residents of Ceylon and see if we can settle this once and for all,” said council president, Lew Wingler.
Members Wingler, Schwartz and James Timmons did however, vote Tuesday night to raise the average water rate to $16.13 from $12.24 for the residential user.
“Is there any discussion about this?” Schwartz asked before the council voted.
Also Tuesday night the council agreed to proceed with plans to renovate and remodel the fire station.
Steve Alexander of Prince/Alexander Architects, had addressed the council during the February meeting about the renovations, and told the council Tuesday night the project is expected to cost about $380,000.
“We’re going to try to keep the construction costs at $350,000, but we’d like the option of going to $380,000,” he said.
Since seeking a grant might prove more costly that borrowing the money directly from a financial institution, Alexander told the board of Republic First National of Rochester, that would provide the needed money as a lease financing mechanism.
The monthly payment, including about 5 percent financing, could be as low as $2,828 per month for 15 years, or as high as $3,752.54 monthly for 10 years.
“Once you were approved, you could have the funds in two weeks,” he said.
If the council decides to take that route, Alexander said the project could be completed by late this year.
“It can go as fast as you want,” he said.
The council approved paying Alexander $3,150 to come up with a schematic design for the project. Schwartz, a contractor, abstained from the vote.
Alexander said he hoped to have those plans done by the next council meeting.
The project includes opening up both ends of the building to make it easier for trucks to get in and out, update the restrooms, kitchen area, and laundry room, create a space to work on equipment, and put a training room and office on the second floor. It is hoped the department will also be able to buy some new gear and equipment.
In another financial matter Tuesday night, the council heard a 10-year tax abatement request for EPC from Linda Heyerly, of Baden Tax Management.
Heyerly said the industry is planning to add about $1.9 million in new equipment in the next two years.
She said the new equipment will allow the industry to introduce two new plumbing line products and add 30 additional jobs to the company’s current employment total of 123.
In other business Tuesday night the council:
•Heard Hampshire say that the town’s semi-annual clean up day would be May 20.
•Heard sewage plant superintendent, Jason Wilkie, express concerns about water that rises in the plant when there is an excessive amount of rain.
Wilkie and Hampshire explained plans to install pumps which would keep water out of the plant.
•Also heard Hampshire say Nelson Tank Engineering and Consultants would be in town on Friday to inspect the water tank. During the inspection the water plant will be operating at a lower capacity and water pressure may be down slightly.
•Learned from clerk treasurer, Doug Milligan, that the town had been awarded a 2006 Indiana QBS Award. The Indiana Qualifications Based Selection award recognizes entities which have contributed to and used qualification based selection to retain professional services in the environment.
Only two such awards are presented annually in the state, Milligan said.
•Signed a resolution adopting the National Incident Management System for disasters, through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
The system is designed to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters of all types.[[In-content Ad]]
Instead it’s turned into a sometimes-heated topic of discussion for the Geneva town council and residents and it appears to be headed back to square one.
Consequently, the council agreed Tuesday night to again put off raising the sewer rate and collecting the storm water fee until more discussion can be held. The proposed ordinance, along with a water rate increase, were expected to be passed at the council’s March meeting.
The water rate increase was passed Tuesday night.
In fact, the council decided Tuesday night to take both the sewage and storm water plans back to Scott A. Houser, CPA with Summers, Carroll, Whisler LLC, Muncie, who drew up the proposed changes, and have him look at other options for implementing increases.
If a new plan is developed, it will require the council to re-advertise the proposed increases and conduct another public hearing.
The concern about the storm water fee was addressed when some industry representatives expressed concern that not all were receiving fair billing.
Red Gold was expected to receive a credit for the work it has done in directing storm water toward the river, but that exception drew the ire of other industry representatives, who would not be offered a credit.
“It’s always about Red Gold,” said Dennis Overdorf, representing J&M Mfg.
Following a lengthy discussion about how the storm water fee is assessed, the council agreed to try to come up with another way to reach the projected annual receipts of $36,000 per year.
“This is a tax,” said town attorney, Chris Harvey, “and no one likes taxes. Once you start making exceptions, where do you stop? You need to be aware of what exceptions would be made and how they would be fair.”
“But you’ve got to remember, this will benefit the entire town,” said town manager, Steve Hampshire about the fund.
The concern about the sewage rates came from residents of Ceylon who, for years, have been paying a flat rate to have their sewage lines tapped into the town’s lines.
The changes would put meters at each of those homes and residents would be charged individually for the amount of sewage put into the system.
In making the recommendation, the council felt it would be a fair way of assessing sewage costs.
Instead, residents expressed their displeasure with the move at a public hearing in March, and the council at that time delayed passage of the ordinance.
Tuesday night, the council agreed to again hold a public meeting to listen to those residents. The meeting is set for Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. in the meeting room above the town hall.
“We’ll set up one more meeting with the residents of Ceylon and see if we can settle this once and for all,” said council president, Lew Wingler.
Members Wingler, Schwartz and James Timmons did however, vote Tuesday night to raise the average water rate to $16.13 from $12.24 for the residential user.
“Is there any discussion about this?” Schwartz asked before the council voted.
Also Tuesday night the council agreed to proceed with plans to renovate and remodel the fire station.
Steve Alexander of Prince/Alexander Architects, had addressed the council during the February meeting about the renovations, and told the council Tuesday night the project is expected to cost about $380,000.
“We’re going to try to keep the construction costs at $350,000, but we’d like the option of going to $380,000,” he said.
Since seeking a grant might prove more costly that borrowing the money directly from a financial institution, Alexander told the board of Republic First National of Rochester, that would provide the needed money as a lease financing mechanism.
The monthly payment, including about 5 percent financing, could be as low as $2,828 per month for 15 years, or as high as $3,752.54 monthly for 10 years.
“Once you were approved, you could have the funds in two weeks,” he said.
If the council decides to take that route, Alexander said the project could be completed by late this year.
“It can go as fast as you want,” he said.
The council approved paying Alexander $3,150 to come up with a schematic design for the project. Schwartz, a contractor, abstained from the vote.
Alexander said he hoped to have those plans done by the next council meeting.
The project includes opening up both ends of the building to make it easier for trucks to get in and out, update the restrooms, kitchen area, and laundry room, create a space to work on equipment, and put a training room and office on the second floor. It is hoped the department will also be able to buy some new gear and equipment.
In another financial matter Tuesday night, the council heard a 10-year tax abatement request for EPC from Linda Heyerly, of Baden Tax Management.
Heyerly said the industry is planning to add about $1.9 million in new equipment in the next two years.
She said the new equipment will allow the industry to introduce two new plumbing line products and add 30 additional jobs to the company’s current employment total of 123.
In other business Tuesday night the council:
•Heard Hampshire say that the town’s semi-annual clean up day would be May 20.
•Heard sewage plant superintendent, Jason Wilkie, express concerns about water that rises in the plant when there is an excessive amount of rain.
Wilkie and Hampshire explained plans to install pumps which would keep water out of the plant.
•Also heard Hampshire say Nelson Tank Engineering and Consultants would be in town on Friday to inspect the water tank. During the inspection the water plant will be operating at a lower capacity and water pressure may be down slightly.
•Learned from clerk treasurer, Doug Milligan, that the town had been awarded a 2006 Indiana QBS Award. The Indiana Qualifications Based Selection award recognizes entities which have contributed to and used qualification based selection to retain professional services in the environment.
Only two such awards are presented annually in the state, Milligan said.
•Signed a resolution adopting the National Incident Management System for disasters, through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
The system is designed to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters of all types.[[In-content Ad]]
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