Starting over on rate plan (04/24/06)

GENEVA — A simple matter that became more difficult during March, became hopefully simple again Saturday when Geneva officials presented a plan to change the sewage charge for Ceylon residents and the way a new storm water charge will be collected for all residents.

The problems arose when Geneva Town Council members Lew Wingler, Jim Timmons, and Mike Schwartz decided in February to place meters on the water wells of Ceylon residents to get accurate readings of how much sewage that community puts into the town’s sewer system.

Ceylon residents have been charged a flat rate of $23.03 since they were hooked into the town’s sewer system several years ago and the plan was now to have those residents pay actual costs.

Additionally, the storm water runoff charge was questioned by local small businesses who felt the larger industries were getting a break on the charge because of steps they had taken to address the runoff in the past.

Starting over, Scott Houser, CPA with Summers, Carroll, Whisler, Muncie, who developed the initial increases presented a plan to Ceylon residents that will now offer them a choice — put a meter that would measure the water used within the household or pay a flat rate of $40.99.

Water used for lawns or other outside purposes, will not be metered, he said, since that water would not flow into the town’s sewage treatment plant.

“Our goal was to go with the meter to capture the amount of water,” Houser explained to some 30 Ceylon residents who showed up for the special meeting Saturday.

“All we’re interested in is what is going into the city sewer,” councilman Schwartz said.

Houser explained that those residents wanting to put in a meter will be charged to purchase the meter from the town and installing the meter will be the homeowner’s responsibility and at their expense.

“I feel good about this number,” Houser said about the flat rate.

Addressing the storm water rate charge, Houser presented a plan that will have Red Gold, the town’s biggest industry, pay a flat monthly fee of $80; Elkhart Products, the next largest, paying $30 monthly; small industries, such as Ecologic, Inc. and Geneva Manufacturing will pay a fee of $10 monthly; South Adams Middle School will also pay $10; commercial businesses will be charged $6.50 monthly and residential entities will be assessed $3 monthly.

The goal of implementing the fund is to collect $26,500 annually to help with capital infrastructure and maintenance needs.

“This is a very fair rate structure,” said Mike Savage, director of risk management for Red Gold said.

“We’re satisfied. We’re just trying to pay our fair share.”

Both the sewage rate and storm water rate ordinances will now be advertised again and a public hearing will be scheduled.

A first reading on the ordinances is expected to be heard at the town council’s meeting on May 2.[[In-content Ad]]