Milford Looks at Raising Water Rates
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Council President Doug Ruch motioned to draft an ordinance to raise rates by 2 percent. He and councilman Bob Cockburn approved, while councilman Dan Cochran voted against any increase.
Cochran earlier rejected Cockburn’s motion for a 3-percent raise, saying that now is not the time to ask more from residents, especially those on a fixed income.
There are 523 customers of Milford’s water and sewer system. They use an average of 11,000 gallons per billing cycle, which is every two months.
Water rates have not been raised in 11 years and sewer rates in eight years, said Utilities Department Superintendent Randy Veach.
In that time sewer treatment volumes have nearly doubled, and the town has been advised by state auditors that the utilities department should be self-supporting, without outside tax money.
“Right now we just hold our own,” Clerk-Treasurer Joellen Free said.
Her office prepared a snapshot of revenue from rate increases from 2 to 5 percent, which town officials noted saved up to $20,000 on hiring an outside company to perform a rate study.
A 3-percent raise would generate an extra $2,800 a year, Cockburn noted before the vote, adding that he would like to save up for infrastructure needs in the future.
“We need to start building up money. It’s the fiscally responsible thing to do,” he said. “Three percent doesn’t raise a lot of money, but it’s better than zero percent.”
The recent construction of a new lift station for the water system would not have been possible on the department’s own budget, without an infusion of Tax Increment Financing District funds, Ruch said.
Cockburn also noted that at 3 percent, his own water usage of 6,000 gallons per billing cycle would see his bill go up by about $1.80.
“You can’t even get anything on the dollar menu for $1.80,” he remarked.
The increase will be voted on at a later meeting, after a public hearing is held.
The council earlier discussed security at the public beach on Waubee Lake, after town marshal Rich Miotto reported making seven arrests there since July 4. Two of those arrests were made earlier Monday for battering a young lifeguard, he said.
Miotto said he doesn't want the beach spoiled for residents, and agreed to step up patrols and enforcement as much as possible. But that’s easier said than done, he added.
“I don’t have the authority to open a cooler or look under a blanket” for alcohol, he said. “They see this uniform coming, things go away and they put on their best behavior.”
The council discussed the possibility of closing the beach at 7 p.m., when the lifeguard leaves, rather than at dusk; charging for parking or charging non-residents for beach use; and hiring extra help to patrol the beach. They plan to return to the issue at next month’s meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. Aug. 13.
Also on next month’s agenda is the possibility of allowing officers a take-home patrol car.
Miotto is concerned with keeping his force competitive as an employer, noting that he has lost a few officers to other agencies because Milford doesn’t give take-home vehicles.
Cockburn agreed that “eventually, we’re going to have to attract more officers.”
Emergency calls are a big concern, as Miotto noted that officers don’t want to rush to a scene in a station wagon full of kids.
Other agencies’ policies differ widely, he said, but only a few don’t allow at least their chief to keep a patrol car at his house for emergencies.
Ruch replied that few agencies have a chief who lives outside of town.
Town officials expressed an interest in letting taxpayers decide how their money will be spent in deciding the issue.
“I would urge any and all Milford residents to let their feelings be known,” Ruch said.
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Council President Doug Ruch motioned to draft an ordinance to raise rates by 2 percent. He and councilman Bob Cockburn approved, while councilman Dan Cochran voted against any increase.
Cochran earlier rejected Cockburn’s motion for a 3-percent raise, saying that now is not the time to ask more from residents, especially those on a fixed income.
There are 523 customers of Milford’s water and sewer system. They use an average of 11,000 gallons per billing cycle, which is every two months.
Water rates have not been raised in 11 years and sewer rates in eight years, said Utilities Department Superintendent Randy Veach.
In that time sewer treatment volumes have nearly doubled, and the town has been advised by state auditors that the utilities department should be self-supporting, without outside tax money.
“Right now we just hold our own,” Clerk-Treasurer Joellen Free said.
Her office prepared a snapshot of revenue from rate increases from 2 to 5 percent, which town officials noted saved up to $20,000 on hiring an outside company to perform a rate study.
A 3-percent raise would generate an extra $2,800 a year, Cockburn noted before the vote, adding that he would like to save up for infrastructure needs in the future.
“We need to start building up money. It’s the fiscally responsible thing to do,” he said. “Three percent doesn’t raise a lot of money, but it’s better than zero percent.”
The recent construction of a new lift station for the water system would not have been possible on the department’s own budget, without an infusion of Tax Increment Financing District funds, Ruch said.
Cockburn also noted that at 3 percent, his own water usage of 6,000 gallons per billing cycle would see his bill go up by about $1.80.
“You can’t even get anything on the dollar menu for $1.80,” he remarked.
The increase will be voted on at a later meeting, after a public hearing is held.
The council earlier discussed security at the public beach on Waubee Lake, after town marshal Rich Miotto reported making seven arrests there since July 4. Two of those arrests were made earlier Monday for battering a young lifeguard, he said.
Miotto said he doesn't want the beach spoiled for residents, and agreed to step up patrols and enforcement as much as possible. But that’s easier said than done, he added.
“I don’t have the authority to open a cooler or look under a blanket” for alcohol, he said. “They see this uniform coming, things go away and they put on their best behavior.”
The council discussed the possibility of closing the beach at 7 p.m., when the lifeguard leaves, rather than at dusk; charging for parking or charging non-residents for beach use; and hiring extra help to patrol the beach. They plan to return to the issue at next month’s meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. Aug. 13.
Also on next month’s agenda is the possibility of allowing officers a take-home patrol car.
Miotto is concerned with keeping his force competitive as an employer, noting that he has lost a few officers to other agencies because Milford doesn’t give take-home vehicles.
Cockburn agreed that “eventually, we’re going to have to attract more officers.”
Emergency calls are a big concern, as Miotto noted that officers don’t want to rush to a scene in a station wagon full of kids.
Other agencies’ policies differ widely, he said, but only a few don’t allow at least their chief to keep a patrol car at his house for emergencies.
Ruch replied that few agencies have a chief who lives outside of town.
Town officials expressed an interest in letting taxpayers decide how their money will be spent in deciding the issue.
“I would urge any and all Milford residents to let their feelings be known,” Ruch said.
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