FR steps toward rate increase

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FORT RECOVERY — Water and sewer raters are likely to increase.

Fort Recovery Village Council on Monday took its first official step toward the increases, approving proposals from village administrator Randy Diller on first reading. They will need to be approved on second and third reading before going into effect.

Council members also discussed new requirements for golf carts to be used in the village.

The increases that received initial approval Monday would move water rates from $17.50 per month currently to $21 by 2020 and sewer rates from $7.50 to $9. Both rates are based on the first 2,000 gallons of water used. (Water rates are also dependent on the diameter of the service line.)

If council passes the increases on second and third readings, village residents would see a 50-cent increase in sewer rates this year, another 50-cent increase in 2019 and a third 50-cent increase in 2021. There would also be a 50-cent increase to the sewer improvement fund rate — to $1.50 per month from the current $1 — in 2021.

Water rates would go up by $1 this year, $1 in 2019 and $1.50 in 2021. The changes also set a utility deposit for the mobile home part at $75, the shut off/turn on fee at $20 and the minimum fee for bulk water at $20.

Sewer and water rates in the village have been frozen since 2010, and at previous meetings Diller has noted the need for the gradual rate hikes to keep up with increasing costs.

Also Monday, Police Chief Jared Laux discussed with council members Erik Fiely, Dave Bretz, Dave Garman, Al Post, Cliff Wendel and Scott Pearson the need for a new golf cart ordinance to comply with a state law that went into effect Jan. 1.

Fort Recovery now must use the official state inspection form, which includes items that were not on the village’s previous checklist. All carts that had been previously inspected by the village will need to go through the process again.

Council members indicated they would like to waive the $50 fee for those who need to have carts re-inspected, as long as those inspections are done in 2017. After that, a $20 fee would be charged.

They plan to keep the standard $50 fee in effect for all new inspections and charge a $20 fee for out-of-town carts that, by state law, must pass a local inspection in order to be used in the village. (Under the new regulations, golf carts registered/inspected in other states may not be used in Ohio.)

All of those changes will come to the council in the form of a new ordinance for approval at an upcoming meeting.

In other business, council:

•Learned Mercer County Commissioners approved an annexation request for property along First Street near Wabash Road. There is a 60-day waiting period before council can take action on the annexation.

•Heard from Diller that the construction of new restrooms is moving forward at Community Park with a goal of having them complete by the end of April.

•Learned the village has been approved for a $40,000 Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation grant for a hydro excavator. The total cost of the equipment is about $67,000.

•Heard a reminder from Diller that the Fort Recovery Chamber of Commerce awards banquet is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12 at the Fort Recovery Elementary/Middle School auditeria.