Despite Solid Finances, Leesburg Advised Not to Lower Sewer Rates
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Aaron [email protected]
Several residents turned out during the town council meeting Monday evening at town hall to hear the results of a rate study performed by Umbaugh and Associates. While a representative from the financial advising corporation said the town sat in solid financial shape with surplus reserves, lowering sewer rates for individual users was not advised.
Certified public accountant Jeff Rowe suggested to the board that the town set up individual reserve funds for the town rather than the one individual fund it currently is working with. Rowe suggested the town meet minimum requirements of those funds and fully fund its reserves before considering rate changes.
Board President Tom Moore asked Rowe if he thought the town was in a position to request the state for relief for restaurants in the town from what he called “outrageous” sewer rates that are more than 50 percent what the businesses use. Rowe said the town could do that, though it would need to present a justified request to the state.
One restaurant owner addressed the board and said his business pays some $1,600 a month in sewer rates, when his calculations show he should be paying just $200 to $300 a month. The owner urged the board to petition the state for relief.
In other business, the town is bracing for the Ind. 15 widening project, set to begin today that will shut down three of the four main arteries that flow onto the highway. Prairie, Van Buren and Plum streets will all be closed for 20 days during the Indiana Department of Transportation project that will see a middle turn lane installed. Church Street will remain open during the project.
Street Commissioner Brandon Queen said the town has awarded a bid to Syracuse company Butt and Timmons to reface Smith Street at Prairie Street with a limestone base. The $9,506 project will close the intersection for 14 days, Queen said.
The board also reviewed the 2012 town budget, and verbally OK’d it. Members are expected to approve the budget during the Sept. 12 meeting.[[In-content Ad]]
Several residents turned out during the town council meeting Monday evening at town hall to hear the results of a rate study performed by Umbaugh and Associates. While a representative from the financial advising corporation said the town sat in solid financial shape with surplus reserves, lowering sewer rates for individual users was not advised.
Certified public accountant Jeff Rowe suggested to the board that the town set up individual reserve funds for the town rather than the one individual fund it currently is working with. Rowe suggested the town meet minimum requirements of those funds and fully fund its reserves before considering rate changes.
Board President Tom Moore asked Rowe if he thought the town was in a position to request the state for relief for restaurants in the town from what he called “outrageous” sewer rates that are more than 50 percent what the businesses use. Rowe said the town could do that, though it would need to present a justified request to the state.
One restaurant owner addressed the board and said his business pays some $1,600 a month in sewer rates, when his calculations show he should be paying just $200 to $300 a month. The owner urged the board to petition the state for relief.
In other business, the town is bracing for the Ind. 15 widening project, set to begin today that will shut down three of the four main arteries that flow onto the highway. Prairie, Van Buren and Plum streets will all be closed for 20 days during the Indiana Department of Transportation project that will see a middle turn lane installed. Church Street will remain open during the project.
Street Commissioner Brandon Queen said the town has awarded a bid to Syracuse company Butt and Timmons to reface Smith Street at Prairie Street with a limestone base. The $9,506 project will close the intersection for 14 days, Queen said.
The board also reviewed the 2012 town budget, and verbally OK’d it. Members are expected to approve the budget during the Sept. 12 meeting.[[In-content Ad]]
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