Dunkirk water hikes move forward

DUNKIRK — City officials took another step toward increasing water rates.

Dunkirk City Council decided to begin consideration of a 50-percent increase to water bills, with a public hearing scheduled for Sept. 25.

It also discussed the possibility of a future sewer rate increase and opened bids for a new trash contract.

At council’s Aug. 28 meeting, Greg Wright of Umbaugh and Associates presented council with a pair of proposals for water rate increases. One would implement an immediate 50-percent increase, to prevent major budget shortfalls starting in 2021. The other would implement rate hikes over a three-year period, starting with a 25-percent increase this year, a 20-percent increase in 2019 and a 15-percent increase in 2020. The graduated implementation would result in 72-percent increase in total, as each increase would stack on top of the previously implemented increases.

The need for funds is a result of no rate hikes since 2010, leaving the city with less cash to work with and a looming schedule of necessary capital improvements. The improvements include a $115,000 Elm Street water main project in 2018, along with the purchase of an estimated $100,000 dump truck.

In 2020, the city will tackle a $350,000 project to replace a water line under Blackford Avenue.

The prevailing notion from council members at Tuesday’s meeting was that the increase was unpleasant but necessary. Without an increase, the city could face major budgetary problems for its water department in the next five years.

“This is going to go over like a lead balloon,” said Bryan Jessup. “We’re rapidly approaching car payment status here on our water bills, if you have a family.”

But council also wanted to make sure it chose the option that would result in less of an overall increase.

“Every one of us setting up here pays a water bill. I don’t want to see it raise either but I don’t want to see the city not have enough money,” Lisa Street said.

Clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott said the city is also continuing to work to replace lead water pipes..

Council ultimately voted to move forward with the 50-percent one-time increase, to lessen to overall increase as compared to the graduated increase that would have resulted in a total 72-percent hike.

“I know it sounds like a lot to swallow all at once … but our water bill, sewer bill and sanitation is all combined into one (bill),” said Mayor Gene Ritter. “So basically what we’re talking about is not half your bill, it’s about half your water part of your bill.”

The preliminary decision on the water rates also led to discussion of the possible future need for increasing sewer rates.

Jesse Bivens said he hopes to pass increases annually, at a rate of about 3 to 4 percent, instead of waiting and having a large increase once finances necessitate it. But Umbaugh and Associates had recommended to Bivens in the past that the city keep its sewer rate steady for the time being.

Council agreed it is worth revisiting with Umbaugh and Associates, and considering a possible low percentage increase on sewer rates to prevent a more dramatic increase in the future.

Representatives from Waste Management and Best Way Disposal were on hand to see new bids opened for the city’s three-year trash contract.

Best Way submitted the low bid for $11.13 per household in 2018, $11.13 per household in 2019 and $11.41 per household in 2020.

Waste Management’s bid came it at $11.23 per household in 2018, $11.64 per household in 2019 and $12.05 per household in 2020.

Council tabled a decision on the trash contract in order to review the bids and make a selection in the future.

In other business, council:

•Approved a payment plan for Kayla Barber and Seth Trumbo for paying a high water bill resulting from a pair of leaks. The couple will pay $99 per month for the next three months, and revisit council again on Dec. 11.

•Made no decision on leak adjustments for Jim Phillips, Nicci Littler, and Roy and Susan Bunch, as all were absent from the meeting.

•Approved an ordinance amendment specifying that water meters will be read on the 15th of each month, or the nearest weekday to the 15th, as opposed to the previously specified two-week window.

•Heard from Elliott that GLAM Studios on Highland Avenue has paid its loan from the city revolving loan fund in full.

•Approved claims totaling $158,121.28.