SOUTH WHITLEY - Sewer rates will increase by 50 percent for South Whitley residents following a decision by town council members Tony Starkey, Glee Eberly and Tom Rudd.

The town's current rates, which average about $7 per month, are considered extraordinarily low when compared to statewide average rates of $22.77.

Clerk Mitch Winger said rates have not increased for five years. The increase allows the municipality to build a capital improvement fund and provides debt service funding for a municipal bond to fund replacement of a 100-year-old sanitary sewer line running the length of State Street.

Doubling the rates is recommended by Umbaugh and Associates of Fort Wayne, financial consultants, who have advised the town regarding funding for the project.

Monthly rates will average $8 to $10 per month when the increase is in effect.

The town has not received firm estimates from Cole and Associates, an engineering firm, regarding the project nor have bids been awarded.

Winger said a public hearing regarding the town budget was Sept. 3 from 7 to 7:30 p.m. No one attended the hearing. Adoption of the town budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 17.

Contract agreements with Triax Cable were reviewed by town counsel Greg Hockemeyer. Customers were recently contacted regarding service and channel preferences, an annual courtesy survey.

Town marshall Dave McKeever reported 20 loitering citations were issued in the past two weeks, a follow-up action taken after several merchants complained of youths congregating downtown after school and into the evening.

McKeever received approval of overtime pay for officers on duty during the Fall Festival.

It was announced the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns will hold a quarterly meeting at Eberly Hall 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1. An Office of Utility Consumer Counselor representative will speak.

Members of Scout Troop 85 attending the meeting were introduced by scout Matt LeFever. The boys earned a communications badge for their attendance. [[In-content Ad]]