Dunkirk delays increase to rates

DUNKIRK — City officials have decided to push back utility rate increases until 2021.

Dunkirk City Council voted Monday to delay the increases in light of potential financial struggles for residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Council members also discussed the Webster-Depot Park summer concert series, including any possible liability on the city’s part.

The city was planning to raise the water rate by 5% this year as part of a three-year plan, and the sewer rate was set to increase by 2%. Both were scheduled to go into effect this summer. However, council member Bryan Jessup suggested postponing the increases until next year, given the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic.

“I think we need to give people a bit of a break,” Jessup said. “We’re getting record unemployment, we’ve got all kinds of people that are having a hard time and struggling, and this is not something that’s going to make or break the city.”

The rest of council agreed, voting to delay the public hearing on the increases until its Aug. 10 meeting. They are now scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1.

Council members also sanctioned the 2020 Webster-Depot Park summer concert series, which is hosted by Dunkirk Beautification Committee. The nine-concert series will run from June 6 to Aug. 8. However, council also questioned whether the city would be liable if a positive case of COVID-19 was traced back to attendance at the concert series.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur said that has been a frequently asked question, with no clear answer. However, he advised council to follow the guidelines set out by Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Back on Track Indiana plan to reopen the state.

“I think as long as you follow what the advice has been from the health department and the governor’s office, I don’t think there should be a liability,” Schemenaur said.

The dates and details of the concert series may change pending further guidance as the state continues to reopen. The city will also be sponsoring the concerts, with council members voting to contribute $300.

In other business, council members Jesse Bivens, Lisa Street, Tom Johnson, Kevin Hamilton and Jessup:

•Signed off on the 2021 salary ordinance, which includes a full-time position for the park department and 2% raises for all city employees.

•Heard that department heads are currently preparing their budget estimates, and that council will discuss the 2021 budget at its June meeting.

•OK’d appropriating additional funds to pay the city’s match for a Community Crossings grant from Indiana Department of Transportation. The city’s 25% match to repave six Dunkirk streets is estimated to be $97,070. Bids for the project are due by June 15.

•Heard that the city will be flushing fire hydrants from May 18 to 22.

•Approved allowing the Dunkirk Beautification Committee to plant four trees, shrubs and flowers at Webster-Depot Park, and to plant flowers in the pots along Main Street. The committee received a Johnson Grant for the beautification work from The Dunkirk Foundation.

•Approved paying $9,000 to MacAllister Machinery for repairs to the sewage plant’s emergency generator.

•OK’d a water leak adjustment of $1,256.86 for Deb Raines.

•Paid claims of $363,506.94.