City Council votes for Sewer Rate Decrease
In these difficult economic times, consumers are looking more closely at their monthly bills and exploring ways to lower their expenses. Though some essential living expenses can be difficult to reduce, Charlestown residents may be in for a pleasant surprise later this year when the city’s planned sewer rate reduction kicks in, causing sewer rates to drop as much as ten percent.
The Charlestown City Council voted unanimously in its March 1 meeting to pass an ordinance that could lower sewer rates by up to $5 per month or $60 annually.
Serious talks about rate decreases commenced after the city received a new agreement from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The order required repairs and improvements that would increase the capacity of sewage flow, thereby preventing wastewater overflow. The previous order entered into in 2005 would have required the city spend more than $6 million dollars to be in compliance. Mayor Bob Hall, after taking office, met with Governor Daniels, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and IDEM officials to ask for time for Saegesser Engineering to reevaluate the scope of work. A new proposal and timeline was submitted and accepted.
Umbaugh and Associates, the city’s financial consulting firm, implemented a rate study to explore whether or not a decrease would be feasible, and discovered that it would.
The rate decrease comes at a time when other communities in the area have raised sewer rates as much as 200%. “I feel vindicated. It feels pretty good to know I sat on the previous council, and I voted against water and sewer rate increases under another administration, and now you can actually see the reason,” commented Councilman Jeff Aaron. He concluded by saying “…it’s about doing the right thing and putting people first.”
Though Charlestown has tackled most of the sewer issues addressed in the IDEM order on its own, it has applied for a $600,000 grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) to help defray the cost of the projects, while the city would remain responsible for matching funds in the amount of $77,000. The grant would cover the cost of running a new sewer line under Greenway Park. City officials expect to learn in May whether the grant has been awarded. Though a possible grant denial could occur, it would not mean an increase in rates, according to Hall.
Hall continued “I am happy we can do this now and wish it could be more. However, I do want the residents of Charlestown to know that, regardless of what other municipalities and governments are facing, Charlestown is solvent, and they will receive no financial surprises from their city government. We have lowered fees, property taxes and now sewer rates. We have not borrowed any money and we have lived within our budgets. I am proud of all the city workers for helping to identify ways do more with less.”
Council President Scott McKechnie and Councilman Dan Roberts expressed similar thoughts concerning the the reduction, stating that they were proud to have previously voted to decrease taxes and fees, and now sewer rates in order to lower the cost of living in Charlestown for all citizens.
Councilman Terry Pierce was not present at the meeting because of an injury.
As part of the other sewer improvements, construction on the new sewer lines for Lakeview and Highview subdivisions has begun. The new lines will render residents’ current, and faulty septic systems obsolete. Residents of the two neighborhoods have long experienced standing water and waste in their yards. The addition of sewers will make these neighborhoods safer and more pleasant, as well as make the homes more attractive to buyers and increase slumping property values in the area.
Prior to cutting sewer rates, the city must hold a public hearing and pass an ordinance. Additional time will be needed to update the rate cuts in the wastewater billing system. If all the pieces fall into place, rates are expected to change June 1.