Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Sewage collection rates were raised to $28 per month for most residential customers. The ordinance signed by city council members Monday takes effect with the Jan. 1 bill calculations.
No members of the public appeared to oppose the legislation.
Todd Samuelson of H.R. Umbaugh and Associates, Plymouth, said the utility will meet its $5.8 million revenue requirements with this 14.2 percent increase.
The wastewater proposed budget was reviewed by the Warsaw Board of Works Dec. 17.
In answer to councilman Charlie Smith's Dec. 6 council meeting question about the number of people who receive concessions on the rates, Mayor Ernie Wiggins said 43 citizens currently take advantage of the program. Individuals may annually sign up for a deferment of the sewage bill, paying $14 per month if the individual or family gross income is less than $17,000.
The board approved a 10- year tax abatement for the Echelon Development Group, 520 S. Union St. Jeffrey Noffsinger said he was one of four partners who own the Odd Fellow building at South Buffalo and West Market streets.
The group has recently leased out three retail spaces and intends to develop the second story into two residential condominiums.
After real estate improvements of $100,000, Noffsinger said, the estimated value of the project should be $145,000. However, he said, because of the age of the structure and current fomulas, the assessed value would be $75,600.
Noffsinger asked that the streetscape extension planned for Buffalo Street this summer be brought around the corner of West Market Street. Noffsinger was advised that plans are currently for Buffalo Street from Market Street to Main Street.
The board also:
• Approved a $51,939.73 transfer of funds as requested by the public works department. Superintendent Lacy Francis Jr. said the transfer is needed because the main (25-feet long) pump for the Frazier Ditch lift station "went down." The backup pump is currently being used. Both of the pumps were installed in 1961. The Frazier is the city's major ditch.
• Welcomed Boy Scout Robert Jenks, of Troop 715, to the meeting.
City councilmen are: Jeff Grose, Charlie Smith, George Clemens, Jerry Patterson, Bill Rhoades, Bob Morrison and Joe Thallemer.
