Claypool Introduces New Water Rate Ordinance
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
The rate increase would be for 2 percent per year until 2018. Council members started looking at the increase ordinance last month after learning that the old ordinance had expired.
They heard Monday that they do not need to perform a rate study first, according to Clerk-Treasurer Connie Morgan, who consulted Umbaugh and Associates. But she said the financial advising firm cautioned against passing an ordinance that would last longer than five years.
“We can only do it for five years, since something drastic might change and the rate might go up or down,” she said. “We don’t want to have it for longer in case something changes.”
Council President Niki Miller also suggested setting aside money each month from water department revenue to pay for upkeep of the town water tower, a $150,000 project which she said the town is not doing enough to prepare for. Morgan said she could make an internal transfer at the end of each month.
Council will have a final draft of the ordinance prepared for next month's meeting, and will set a public hearing prior to final passage.
They also will review an ordinance spelling out the summer “sprinkler credit,” which has long been practice but was never codified.
In financial matters, the council approved a $7,500 agreement for fire protection with Clay Township, and a $500 interlocal agreement with Kosciusko County for new communication equipment for police vehicles.
They also approved $1,541 in equipment for the cruiser.
And Morgan reported that she has filed liens against seven utility customers for nonpayment, which she said would generate enough money to pay for the $1,500 lien-filing software approved in December and purchased last month. She also sent an invoice for $2,600 to KC Online, which rents space for an antenna atop the town water tower but which has not paid since 2010.
Morgan sent a bill as well to Phend and Brown Inc., which used town water during construction of the Ind. 15 overpass last summer. The company used about 81,000 gallons, she said, and had paid its bills through November.
But the company did not respond to the $2,455 December bill, accruing a 25 percent late fee of $573, which they asked to be waived. She said Phend and Brown claimed not to have received the bill, but has since paid the original amount minus the late fee.
Council earlier agreed to urge state and county officials to install flashers or reflectors at the Ind. 15 overpass, after several residents complained that the turn onto West CR 700S is difficult to see when coming from the north. Council member Don Miller said it took years to get flashers installed at the intersection, and that they weren't replaced after construction.
And before the regular meeting, council renewed two Tax Increment Finance districts, which have been in place for about 10 years – one for a Symmetry Medical facility and the other for a housing development.
Money generated within each TIF is to be used for the benefit of that district.[[In-content Ad]]
The rate increase would be for 2 percent per year until 2018. Council members started looking at the increase ordinance last month after learning that the old ordinance had expired.
They heard Monday that they do not need to perform a rate study first, according to Clerk-Treasurer Connie Morgan, who consulted Umbaugh and Associates. But she said the financial advising firm cautioned against passing an ordinance that would last longer than five years.
“We can only do it for five years, since something drastic might change and the rate might go up or down,” she said. “We don’t want to have it for longer in case something changes.”
Council President Niki Miller also suggested setting aside money each month from water department revenue to pay for upkeep of the town water tower, a $150,000 project which she said the town is not doing enough to prepare for. Morgan said she could make an internal transfer at the end of each month.
Council will have a final draft of the ordinance prepared for next month's meeting, and will set a public hearing prior to final passage.
They also will review an ordinance spelling out the summer “sprinkler credit,” which has long been practice but was never codified.
In financial matters, the council approved a $7,500 agreement for fire protection with Clay Township, and a $500 interlocal agreement with Kosciusko County for new communication equipment for police vehicles.
They also approved $1,541 in equipment for the cruiser.
And Morgan reported that she has filed liens against seven utility customers for nonpayment, which she said would generate enough money to pay for the $1,500 lien-filing software approved in December and purchased last month. She also sent an invoice for $2,600 to KC Online, which rents space for an antenna atop the town water tower but which has not paid since 2010.
Morgan sent a bill as well to Phend and Brown Inc., which used town water during construction of the Ind. 15 overpass last summer. The company used about 81,000 gallons, she said, and had paid its bills through November.
But the company did not respond to the $2,455 December bill, accruing a 25 percent late fee of $573, which they asked to be waived. She said Phend and Brown claimed not to have received the bill, but has since paid the original amount minus the late fee.
Council earlier agreed to urge state and county officials to install flashers or reflectors at the Ind. 15 overpass, after several residents complained that the turn onto West CR 700S is difficult to see when coming from the north. Council member Don Miller said it took years to get flashers installed at the intersection, and that they weren't replaced after construction.
And before the regular meeting, council renewed two Tax Increment Finance districts, which have been in place for about 10 years – one for a Symmetry Medical facility and the other for a housing development.
Money generated within each TIF is to be used for the benefit of that district.[[In-content Ad]]
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