Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety Friday approved submitting a resolution to the Warsaw City Council that proposes to increase sewer fees for city residents to cover proposed improvements to the city's sewage system.
Jeffrey Rowe, manager for Umbaugh and Associates, Plymouth, presented a schedule of comparative monthly billings under current and proposed sewer rates for Warsaw during the meeting.The resolution recommends the council approve issuing sewage work revenue bonds in order to pay for the cost of the project.
The current rate for sewer charges for Warsaw residents is $30.80 per month and the proposed rate would be $32.60, a $1.80 increase.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the council will review the resolution at its meeting Monday night.
Dave Henderson, Wastewater Treatment Utility Facility manager, said the city council would need to approve the resolution, an ordinance would need to be adopted and a public hearing would take place.
The proposed resolution states the board desires to proceed with the acquisition, construction and installation of necessary improvements and extensions to the city's sewage works.
The proposed improvements would include building a new laboratory and administration building located at the wastewater plant at 2056 North CR 150 West consisting of approximately 3,200 square feet; installing new sanitary and storm sewers along Country Club Drive South and a 48-inch diameter storage pipe along with associated inlet and outlet structures for combined sewer overflow abatement.
The proposed project also would include the installation of a gravity sewer and flow meter along Ind. 15 and a biosolids storage addition consisting of an approximately 50-foot extension of the sludge storage building at the wastewater plant.
Henderson said the current sewer rates and charges for services do not provide sufficient money for the operation, maintenance and financing of the projects and an increase of rates and charges would need to be provided to accomplish the projects.
In other business, Henderson announced he will resign as Wastewater Treatment Utility Facility manager effective April 11.
Henderson has served in the position since 2003 and will serve as the utility director for the city of LaFayette.
Brian Davison, who currently serves as the facility's operations supervisor will replace Henderson effective April 13.
The board also:
n Approved the Warsaw Police Department applying for a grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance to replace bullet proof vests. The grant pays 50 percent of the cost of bulletproof vests for law enforcement.
WPD has appropriated $9,000 in the 2008 budget for the purchase of bulletproof vests to replace the outdated ones now in use.
n Approved the Warsaw Street Department to place advertisements accepting sealed bids for a new garbage truck and financing. The board also approved the department to get quotes on the first pair of one-town dump trucks with snow plows and one 3/4-ton pick-up truck with a lift gate and snow plow.
n Approved the building and planning department making an $8,000 request for payment to the Kosciusko County Community Foundation Inc. for a payment to Camden Construction who completed the boardwalk portion of the Lake City Greenway.
n Approved an agreement with Wayne Township to provide insurance for Warsaw's fire trucks.
n Approved a $2,995 contract between the WPD and Cardinal Tracking Inc. for a software and maintenance agreement.
