Rates are going up

REDKEY — Sewer rates will be going up.
Redkey Town Council voted Thursday to raise sewer rates by more than 60 percent in the next 10 months to help pay for the town’s sewer separation project.
Council also passed its 2015 budget on first reading following a public hearing, and learned that the town has another chance to apply for a grant to build a new fire station.
Sewer rates needed to be increased by $24 by 2016 in order to pay for part of the sewer separation project, council learned during a project update from the engineering firm Fleis & Vandenbrink.
A $3.9 million grant and $3.8 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture are covering most of the estimated $7.9 million project, but Redkey is responsible for the remaining $206,000.
Even though guests and council members expressed concern about how the increase would affect residents, council president Kyle Champ said increases would have been more if the town hadn’t received the grant to help fund the project.
Members approved two $12 increases, the first to take effect in November and the second scheduled for June.
Those increases will bump monthly sewer rates in Redkey to $62.59 from the current $38.58.
Randy Kriscunas, of Fleis & Vandenbrink, Inc., said 4,000 feet of the sewer has been cleaned and televised, and 95 percent of the topographic survey is complete.
“We’re still on target for preliminary design for both the wastewater and the sewer rehab,” Kriscunas said.
Council member David Dudelston asked town residents to “just beware. There’s a lot of activity in town. Be extremely patient.”
There was no public comment during a public hearing on the $502,700 budget. Council is scheduled to vote to adopt the budget, which is up about $3,000 from last year, at its Oct. 16 meeting.
Fire chief Randy Young informed council that Redkey Fire Department is able to reapply for a $400,000 grant for a new fire station, saying it missed qualifying the last time because of lack of public input.
Jay County community developer Ami Huffman has asked for letters of support by Monday. Letters may be taken to the city building at 8922 W. Ind. 67, Redkey or email to [email protected].
Council president Kyle Champ said he would get letters from residents and asked board members to do the same. Clerk-treasurer Debbie James said she will write a letter for the board to sign.
In other business, council members Ted Friddle, Greg Curme, Jon Davis, Champ and Dudelston:
•Agreed to pay a claim of $12,000, that was submitted at the last meeting, for a new dump truck for the town. They also voted to pay Display Craft $120 to put “Town of Redkey” signs on each side of the truck.
•Accepted a bid of $1,850 from A. Landon Excavating L.L.C. for asphalt repairs on Bell, Spencer and East Main streets.
•Heard town resident Debbie Engle ask for an adjustment to her water bill for cleaning flood damage at her home. No adjustment was made, but Champ asked wastewater treatment plant operator Randy Young to look at a drain in her yard to see why it floods.
•Agreed to close Railroad Street on Sept. 26 and 27 for training on how to extract victims from wrecked vehicles.
•Approved spending $265 for a Tensette pipe from HACH for testing at the water department.
•Voted to allow Holly Fields to have a Fun for Kids event on Oct. 17 at Redkey Park.
•Learned that Halloween will be celebrated on Oct. 31 with line-up for the costume contest at 5:15 p.m. at the fire station. The contest will start at 5:30 p.m. and trick-or-treating from 6 to 8 p.m.
•Received an estimate of $2,047.50 from Coon’s Service for an air conditioning unit at town hall. Members asked James to get another quote.
•Approved making water bill adjustments of $335.73 for James Olvey, Redkey Automotive LLC, Dean Barlow and Joan Smith.
•Paid claims totaling $143,021.88.
•Discussed the bee problem at the concession stand and women’s restroom at Redkey Park. Champ said he will call an exterminator.
•Heard from Dudelston that volunteers have offered to mow the park if they have a good mower. He plans to check on mower prices.