MJ:
Middletown water, sewer rates may climb

By Mike Rutledge
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN —
Middletown residents have been paying on the low end of water and sewer rates compared to other places in the region. But that could change significantly in coming years if Middletown City Council members sign on to City Manager Doug Adkins’ plan to replace crumbling water and sewer pipes, and repair aging water and sewage treatment plants.

Under a proposal that Adkins emphasized is very preliminary — many factors could affect the costs — Middletown would see water-rate hikes of 7.5 percent each of the next three years, followed by 5 percent increases each of the following five years.

On the sewer side, equally preliminary, Adkins suggested sewer-rate increases of 10 percent in coming months, followed by four years of 15-percent hikes, with a 12-percent increase after that.

Adkins said those percentage increases were merely rough estimates that he offered “to give City Council a flavor of what will be coming in the future,” he said. “It was a rough estimate to show size and scope of coming future decisions.”

None of that is definite, and council members would have to approve the hikes. Most members of the council did not return calls from the Journal-News seeking their thoughts on the possible increases.

The estimates are rough because several factors could lessen the need for such increases, Adkins said Friday.

For example, NTE Energy of St. Augustine, Fla., is building a gas-fired power plant in the city that’s expected to use one million gallons of water a day. That could have a positive impact on rates for residents, as could the possibility of Middletown selling water to other jurisdictions.

Another major factor that could affect rates: The city is working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to create a long-term control plan that will set the city’s costs and responsibilities concerning water and sewers. When that has been determined, Middletown will know a lot more about the scope of the problems it faces.

“Once that is completed, we can better estimate the more realistic costs of each piece of what was discussed on Saturday,” Adkins said.

The needs are significant for the city’s old and crumbling water and sewer pipes, as well as its water and sewage treatment plants. An estimate of the needs for the water pipes and treatment plant is $125 million. For the sewer collection system and treatment plant, the estimate is $209 million, he told council members.

“One of the things that concerned me when I took over (as city manager, in mid-2014) is the number of water main breaks and the deterioration of some of our water infrastructure in the older parts of town,” Adkins said. “And I had asked … ‘What is the plan to put that together?’”

There was none, so Adkins asked that one be created.

“We now have a plan in place that will allow us to evaluate our existing pipe, to see where it is in the lifespan, and start replacing it,” Adkins told the council.

Rates on the low side now

Middletown’s combined water and sewer rates are in the lower one-third of those in 63 Southwest Ohio communities that are surveyed annually by the city of Oakwood.

Out of those 63 communities, Middletown’s water rates were 18th lowest. On the sewer side, its rates were 25th lowest.

When the sewer and water rates are combined, Middletown’s rates are 17th lowest, at an estimated $212.82 per quarter. The lowest community for combined rates is Englewood, at $147.19 per quarter, while the highest is Miami County, at $418.56.

For comparison, Fairfield’s combined rates are $164.52; Butler County’s are $202.35; Oxford’s are $219.51; Monroe’s are $233.49; Hamilton’s are $245.79; and Trenton’s are $267.09.

“We were the 17th cheapest. I think that was a mistake,” Adkins told the council. “If I had been here 10 years ago, I think I would have recommended that we get back toward the middle somewhere, have this plan in place for the last 10 years, and have been working on making these renovations.

“We did not do that,” he added, “which means the rates are going to have to go up more now, over the next several years. We’ve already had the benefit of your cheaper water rates. And I don’t see a whole lot of options (other than) let your stuff fall apart.”

If rates along the lines of the preliminary estimates do happen, “We will go from being 17th out of 63 to 45th or 50th out of 63 by the time it’s all over and done,” Adkins said. “We will move from the bottom third to the top third. Again, I don’t think you have a whole lot of choice unless you go cheaper for a few more years and just let everything just fall to pieces.”

Council members since the meeting have been silent on the matter, most of them not responding to emails or phone messages about the concept.

Councilman Talbott Moon did respond.

“After thinking on this, it’s too early to comment publicly because of the many variables and unknowns that can and will change between now and when these future decisions are made,” Moon said.

During the weekend meeting, Mayor Larry Mulligan Jr. said it will be important to emphasize to citizens the reason for the increases.

“I think the way to present this, is this isn’t an increase in operating costs,” Mulligan said. “This is capital maintenance that needs to happen, making sure we have clear disclosures and a fund set up to manage this (capital spending).”



Middletown’s water, sewer rates on the low end now

Middletown consumers pay the 17th lowest combined water and sewer rates among 63 area communities surveyed yearly by the city of Oakwood.

Middletown’s quarterly water rate for 22,500 gallons is $90.57. That ranks 18th lowest among the 63 communities. The most expensive area is Miami County, at $197.97. The least expensive one is Enon, at $54.90. Other area communities include Fairfield, $63.36; Warren County, $83.03; Hamilton, $86.40; Oxford, $97.02; Mason, $99.20; Butler County, $118.23; Trenton, $143.49; and Monroe, $149.34.

Middletown’s quarterly sewer rate for the same water consumption is $122.25. That’s 25th lowest among the 63 communities. Most expensive community: Loveland, at $240.81. Least expensive: Dayton, at $72.92. Other area communities include Butler County, $84.12; Monroe, $84.15; Fairfield, $101.16; Warren County, $105.68; Oxford, $122.49; Trenton, $123.60; Hamilton, $159.39; and Mason, $165.58.

Middletown’s combined water and sewer quarterly rate is $212.82. That’s 17th lowest among the 63 communities. Most expensive community: Miami County: $418.56. Least expensive: Englewood: $147.19. Other area communities include Fairfield, $164.52; Warren County, $188.71; Butler County, $202.35; Oxford, $219.51; Monroe, $233.49; Hamilton, $245.79; Mason, $264.78; and Trenton, $267.09.

I said years ago Middletown had a cash cow called water and sewer. Call this move a quasi revenue generator just like a tax increase is an understatement. It is outrageous such a ridiculous increase will come forward. Another example why the city wanted to reduce council members and have at large, to raise rates without dissent.

“The needs are significant for the city’s old and crumbling water and sewer pipes, as well as its water and sewage treatment plants. An estimate of the needs for the water pipes and treatment plant is $125 million. For the sewer collection system and treatment plant, the estimate is $209 million, he told council members.”

Factguy

This is not about your esteem for Mr. Adkins. This is all about the past and present leadership of our city and the use of taxpayer’s dollars.
Leadership has known about the need for the separation of the sewers for many years as required by the EPA and have continued to kick this problem can down the road for years.

”During the weekend meeting, Mayor Larry Mulligan Jr. said it will be important to emphasize to citizens the reason for the increases.
“I think the way to present this, is this isn’t an increase in operating costs,” Mulligan said. “This is capital maintenance that needs to happen, making sure we have clear disclosures and a fund set up to manage this (capital spending).”

Ahh yes, we the taxpayers give City Hall our money and then they place it into the bottomless pit known as the Capital Improvement Fund, never to be seen or heard about again. Million of dollars have vanished over the years and now they are asking for us to trust them with millions of dollars again….they’re kidding right?

Sooo…is Mr. Mulligan now suggesting that City Hall set up yet another separate fund for these capital improvements? Will this fund be set up as a RESTRICTED FUND that ensures these funds can only be used for replacement of sewer and water lines in the older areas of the city and not new construction projects? Ahh yes, words do matter.
Now we need to discuss RESTRICTED FUNDS. If you look at your water bill you will see a $.50 monthly charge for Wellhead Protection. Several years ago this Restricted Fund had a balance of over a million dollars…and then Miss Judy and City Council needed $600,000 to demo the Orman Building…and then City Council Members voted to remove $600,000 from this RESTRICTED FUND to demo the building. I placed all the documentation on this blog.
Sooo…Mr. Mulligan how are you going to ensure the taxpayers this money, even if it is placed in a RESTRICTED FUND won’t be raided like the Wellhead Protection Fund when City Hall needs a few bucks for a different project?

Ahh yes, the old shell game at City Hall is alive and doing very well…

Factguy
Mr. Adkins has not reduced the number of Section 8 vouchers in Middletown and can not reduce them in the future.
Many people in this city do not pay for the amount of water that they use...they pay the minimum amount charged by the city. So many, myself included, pay for water and sewage that we don't even use. How can this be a faiir billing practice?

Isn't this odd? Below is recent Douglas Adkins blog-

The Journal ran an article about the City potentially converting a closed fire station to a Post-Treatment Recovery Center.  There were several comments on the Journal web page that included:

“Let the idiots die that make the choice to shove heroin in themselves.”

“How about a row of Noose’s lined up on Donham Square were we can Hang the Dopers and Pusher’s every Sunday Afternoon and the Have Famous Recipe cater a Chicken Lunch! All Drug Users and Sellers Deserve and Need the Death Penalty!”

“The cost to revive the heroin addict doesn’t have to be that high. Thin the herd. If they don’t care any more for their lives than to take the risk of dying with each usage, why should we, the people, care? Just let ’em go. Apparently it’s what they want to do as they are willing to roll the dice on death each time.”

Why not-

"Many may blame an addict for their problems unsympathetically."

Yes, he reads musa.

Cooper
I hope a great many taxpayers and council members of this city read MUSA.
Many of the older people in this community are the only ones that remember the history and what was promised by City Hall over the years regarding many of these important issues.
We all what the best for Middletown however we need to be fully informed with all the facts not just the sound bites coming from City Hall

 

 

In February 2011 the city council passed a ordinance that chargeday every home owner in the city a monthly closed landfill fee. So just what do you need that for if it is closed Doug and who is getting the money for the rent of Mark's towing renting that so closed landfill.