Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Water and sewer rates in Mentone will go up soon.
Monday, the Mentone Town Council voted to increase water rates 25 percent and sewer rates 50 percent. Clerk-treasurer Barbara Ross said it would take four to six weeks to get the new rates into the computer system before they could begin billing at the new rates.
After studying the town's rates, H.J. Umbaugh & Associates previously had proposed the town hike its water rates 49.8 percent and its sewer rates 54.6 percent across the board. But at a special meeting in August, utilities superintendent Brian Reed said he thought that was a little high. He suggested raising the water rates 25 percent and the sewer rates 50 percent across the board. The proposed increases would happen all at one time instead of being phased in.
Thirty-eight percent of the town's sewer customers, approximately 134, had the minimum monthly bill of 2,000 gallons per month or less.
In 1998, the sewer rate decreased while the water rate increased.
Under the new rates, for someone who used an average of 5,000 gallons per month, the new water rate would be about $34.31, sewer $29.73 and trash pickup $5 for an average bill of approximately $69.04. Under the old rates, that same bill for 5,000 gallons would be $47.45.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved a 10-year tax abatement for Mid-West Spring Manufacturing as requested last month. The company plans to construct a 100-foot by 200-foot building at a cost of approximately $200,000, with an additional cost of $1 million for new equipment and machinery. They eventually plan to add approximately 10-12 new employees.
• Approved for Comcast Cable to be a cable provider in Mentone in addition to the current provider, Longview Cable Co.
• Was told that if the town was interested, Mentone resident Roger Long could serve as a part-time building inspector for Mentone. He works for the city of Warsaw and is certified through the state. Councilman Tim Croy said he would talk to Long about the position.
• Heard hydrants will be flushed Oct. 19-20. Residents may notice some discoloration in their water those days and should refrain from washing clothes.
• Heard fall cleanup will be Oct. 22.
• Approved a policy stating no town vehicles may be taken out of state without prior town council approval. The approval must be given at a town council meeting.
• Heard a brief presentation from Jay Little, registered representative from Sammons Securities Co., about a 457 retirement plan for town employees.
Members of the Mentone Town Council are president Mark Hughes, Tim Croy and Jack Simpson. They meet at 7 p.m. in the town hall on the first Monday of every month.
