Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Sewer rates for Winona Lake are yet to be decided by the Warsaw City Council.
The city council discussed sewer rates for the town at its meeting Monday night.
The city council held a public hearing Aug. 21 where a proposed sewer rate ordinance was presented that would include a 60-percent increase for Winona Lake's rate.
The Winona Lake Town Council approved a 20-percent increase for sewer services at its Nov. 14 meeting. Winona Lake residents currently pay $35 for sewer services and the 20-percent increase would increase services by $7 a month.
Faced with the proposed 60-percent increase from Warsaw, the town chose to conduct a feasibility study to determine if it should use Warsaw for wastewater service or proceed with the option of building its own treatment facility. The feasibility study should be completed by Winona Lake Town Council's December meeting.
The Warsaw City Council approved Warsaw's rates and charges for city sewage services at its Sept. 18 meeting. The rates and charges for Warsaw for dwelling units, including single-family, duplexes, apartments, condominiums and mobile home courts will be a minimum of $30.80 per month for each dwelling unit.
City Councilman Joe Thallemer said during Monday's meeting he supports an increase for sewage services for Winona Lake.
He presented figures to the council that suggested Winona Lake receive a 39.8-percent sewer rate increase, a $13.93 increase from what Winona residents are currently paying with approximately 1,000 users. With the 39.8-percent increase, Winona residents would pay $48.93 for sewer services a month instead of $56 a month with the 60-percent increase.
"I understand Winona Lake's concern with increased sewage services, but if we do not approve an increase, our local residents will have to pick up the slack," Thallemer said.
A sewage works cost of study for Warsaw was conducted by Umbaugh and Associates that recommended sewage service increases for Winona Lake.
He said the cost of service study shows revenues need to be increased for sewage services.
He also said raising Winona Lake's sewer rates will create a sharing of the costs of sewage treatment between Winona Lake and Warsaw.
Councilman Charles Smith agreed with the sewage rate increase.
"I think their is brevity in the cost of service study and Winona Lake needs to pay the sewer rates like our taxpayers do," Smith said.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he was looking for direction in sewer rates for the town and said he encourages Winona Lake to complete the feasibility study.
