Milford Councilmen Butt Heads on Rate Hike
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
With Councilman Bob Cockburn absent, it was up to members Doug Ruch and Dan Cochran to decide whether to begin an $11 average monthly rate increase all at once next year or phase it in over three years.
Cochran motioned to start the increase in full in January, saying the water department needs the funds now, but was met with silence when he needed a second. Ruch then motioned to phase it in, but received no response from Cochran.
They will revisit the rate increase at next month’s meeting.
John Julien with Umbaugh and Associates said before the vote they suggested the $11 average based on a study of the water department’s needs and resources. He said they identified a yearly need of $156,000 for daily operating expenses and an additional $100,000 that should be saved up for infrastructure costs, together outstripping yearly income of $140,000 under current rates.
Cochran observed that the water department’s funds are very low now and that it has been “hemorrhaging” money for a while, and that the town already has the lowest water rates in the area.
“I’m the last guy to say he wants to raise rates, but we have to look after our infrastructure,” he said.
Resident Mike Minnick said the $11 represents a 25-percent hike for his household, and observed that retirees are getting no increase in benefits this year, in addition to the potential pain of increases in other utilities.
“There will be shockwaves. Be prepared for your phones to ring,” he told council before the vote.
The bulk of the meeting was spent discussing the North Park subdivision, which developer Ideal Suburban Homes hopes to finish with the construction of the last nine lots. But the developer and the town are at a stalemate, as Ruch put it, since Milford has specifications for the sewer system that Ideal President Kevan Biggs said might not be economically feasible.
The town wants a lift station installed for the sewer lines serving the last nine houses or, barring that, at least adequate ground cover over the lines so they don’t freeze in winter. Town officials also expressed concerns with the accessibility of the sewer lines.
Discussion went back and forth for an hour over what the originally approved plans did or didn’t include, and over what would or wouldn’t best take future development into account.
Ruch told the team to go back to the drawing board and return with a plan that includes at least 36 inches of ground cover.
Council earlier heard from Building Inspector Ken Brower that he’s winnowing down a list of 16 problem properties and is ready to send notice to nine property owners that they need to bring them up to standards. A few, including properties on Higbee and Smith streets, are already being addressed.
The next step will be to schedule hearings on the properties, which will be presided over by newly hired Building Commissioner Tom Bulger. Bulger currently does inspections for Housing Opportunities of Warsaw.
Also Monday, council heard:
• Leaf pickup will end Nov. 20, according to Utilities Superintendent Randy Veach.
• Residents should be wary of calls from scammers claiming to be from the IRS demanding money, said Town Marshal Rich Miotto. If the IRS really is demanding back taxes, he said, they’ll send a certified letter.[[In-content Ad]]
With Councilman Bob Cockburn absent, it was up to members Doug Ruch and Dan Cochran to decide whether to begin an $11 average monthly rate increase all at once next year or phase it in over three years.
Cochran motioned to start the increase in full in January, saying the water department needs the funds now, but was met with silence when he needed a second. Ruch then motioned to phase it in, but received no response from Cochran.
They will revisit the rate increase at next month’s meeting.
John Julien with Umbaugh and Associates said before the vote they suggested the $11 average based on a study of the water department’s needs and resources. He said they identified a yearly need of $156,000 for daily operating expenses and an additional $100,000 that should be saved up for infrastructure costs, together outstripping yearly income of $140,000 under current rates.
Cochran observed that the water department’s funds are very low now and that it has been “hemorrhaging” money for a while, and that the town already has the lowest water rates in the area.
“I’m the last guy to say he wants to raise rates, but we have to look after our infrastructure,” he said.
Resident Mike Minnick said the $11 represents a 25-percent hike for his household, and observed that retirees are getting no increase in benefits this year, in addition to the potential pain of increases in other utilities.
“There will be shockwaves. Be prepared for your phones to ring,” he told council before the vote.
The bulk of the meeting was spent discussing the North Park subdivision, which developer Ideal Suburban Homes hopes to finish with the construction of the last nine lots. But the developer and the town are at a stalemate, as Ruch put it, since Milford has specifications for the sewer system that Ideal President Kevan Biggs said might not be economically feasible.
The town wants a lift station installed for the sewer lines serving the last nine houses or, barring that, at least adequate ground cover over the lines so they don’t freeze in winter. Town officials also expressed concerns with the accessibility of the sewer lines.
Discussion went back and forth for an hour over what the originally approved plans did or didn’t include, and over what would or wouldn’t best take future development into account.
Ruch told the team to go back to the drawing board and return with a plan that includes at least 36 inches of ground cover.
Council earlier heard from Building Inspector Ken Brower that he’s winnowing down a list of 16 problem properties and is ready to send notice to nine property owners that they need to bring them up to standards. A few, including properties on Higbee and Smith streets, are already being addressed.
The next step will be to schedule hearings on the properties, which will be presided over by newly hired Building Commissioner Tom Bulger. Bulger currently does inspections for Housing Opportunities of Warsaw.
Also Monday, council heard:
• Leaf pickup will end Nov. 20, according to Utilities Superintendent Randy Veach.
• Residents should be wary of calls from scammers claiming to be from the IRS demanding money, said Town Marshal Rich Miotto. If the IRS really is demanding back taxes, he said, they’ll send a certified letter.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092