Water / Sewer rates
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: City Manager
Forum Description: Discuss the city manager administration including all city departments.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6260
Printed Date: Nov 21 2024 at 8:39pm
Topic: Water / Sewer rates
Posted By: 409
Subject: Water / Sewer rates
Date Posted: Jan 29 2016 at 5:20pm
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.
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Every morning is the dawn of a new error...
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Replies:
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Jan 29 2016 at 6:31pm
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No, Mr. Mulligan
and Council Members, you don’t need to think about it. Years ago when council did
the increase for the separation of the sewer problem the council stated that the
increase would go into the capital improvement fund.
Sooo…now the real question that you need to explain to the taxpayers of this
city is where did all those millions of dollars disappear to?
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Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Jan 29 2016 at 7:14pm
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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.
Memo to council and city manager- the cost to live in a city offering nothing but declining property valuation is not worth the outlay for basic utilities exploiting the monopoly.
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'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Jan 29 2016 at 10:52pm
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I have always held Doug Adkins in high esteem, but this effort is aimed in my opinion, towards social engineering. The social engineering target is section 8 voucher reduction. For each % increase in monthly rate, a forecast reduction in vouchers. The problem many have with this logic is all residents pay far greater than is reasonable for an effort to purge low income individuals. A city is supposed to run efficiently, and reduce costs. Not use a ranking of inefficiency to justify raising costs. Why worry about an income tax hike when massive rates on a monopolistic service accomplishes same. Joe Mulligan running on this platform for state representative bespeaks RINO. As it does for every member of council that speak constantly about regional sharing cost benefits, but raise rates every moment deemed opportune. Time to put the brakes on the nickel and dime approach to robbing Peter to pay Paul.
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Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Jan 30 2016 at 11:56am
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“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…
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Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Jan 30 2016 at 12:10pm
Don’t forget they have already increased the water rates for the next
2 years. Has any of this money been transferred over to Captial Improvements?
Topic: Middletown water rates to increase
Posted: 06 Nov 2015 at 8:17am | Posted: 3:59 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015 Middletown water rates to increaseBy http://www.journal-news.com/staff/ed-richter/" rel="nofollow - Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Middletown residents and businesses will see a bump in their water rates for 2016 and 2017. City Council on Tuesday heard the first reading of an ordinance to increase water rates by 7.5 percent and would cost a typical residential user an additional $2.22 per month. Council will hear the second reading and consider for possible adoption at its Nov. 17 meeting. City Manager Doug Adkins said city water rates are reviewed on a two-year schedule in consideration of operational, maintenance and capital improvement needs and costs of the water system. According to the annual Oakwood Water and Sewer Rate Survey for southwest Ohio, the city ranks as the 18th lowest out of the 66 communities surveyed as of March 1, according to a staff report submitted to council from Scott Tadych, public works and utilities director. He said the city consistent ranks in the lower half of the surveyed communities. The rates in the annual survey is based on the usage of 22,000 gallons or 3,0000 cubic feet during a three-month period. Tadych said the water rates were last discussed in 2013 with rate increases of 5 percent in 2014 and 2015. An overall rate increase of 7.5 percent was recommended to council. In addition, Tadych said there was an oversight in the 2013 legislation that left several rate classes unchanged for 2015 and that has been corrected in the new ordinance. He said the affected rate classes included private fire line rates, large user rates and senior citizen rates which should have been increased by 5 percent for 2015 but were not in the previous ordinance. In a related matter, council also heard the first reading of an ordinance to approve a one-year continuation of the contract with SmartBill, Ltd., of Hebron, to outsource the mailing of city water and sewer bills for 2016. The city has contracted with SmartBill since 2009 and company will continue to provide the service at the current cost for 2016. The cost to send bills out to the city’s approximately 21,000 customers is $0.13 cents a bill plus postage. The ordinance permits the expenditure of up to $120,000 a year to be equally paid out of the water and sewer funds. The approximate monthly cost is $8,800 plus an additional $14,000 a year for stock costs such as bills, envelopes, etc. However, the city will absorb the cost of any postal rate increases. City officials said the company has provided excellent service since 2009. Before contracting with SmartBill in 2009, the city did all of the utility billings. |
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Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Jan 30 2016 at 2:17pm
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?Don't forget that after we dig up the streets to replace the water and sewer lines we will need to repair the streets and that will take millions and million more of our taxdollars.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Jan 31 2016 at 8:24pm
well--to Mr.A's credit, he is now stuck doing the dirty work that past Councils/commissions/Admins refused to do.
The streets are beginning to be fixed, along with the sewers----the sewer fix MAY eventually be paid---the Planning and ED depts. are under new leadership---someone had to start doing the right things.
Still---making us one of the higher cost communities for basic services and tax rates combined with reductions of most important services, along with making us the most heroin-friendly city in an area underwater with the junk will hardly make us attractive to the kind of new residents that we need.
Quality of life amenities an options are needed, while new businesses will be hesitant to move here with the higher basic service costs. I would rather we become the LEAST desirable community for heroin users. Arrests and cold turkey time behind bars over free needles and halfway houses--make the users view Middietown as the LAST place that they want to be.
With what is currently going on, we will probably continue to shrink our population, but we will lose those that we desparately need to retain imo...
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Posted By: Cooper
Date Posted: Feb 01 2016 at 11:29am
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.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Feb 02 2016 at 9:32am
not surprised that Mr.A and most others read here----where else do you read much of anything about m-town? The guy is open, listens and is interested in what others think--have never heard him slam the site--a good thing overall
the MJ-N comments are usually flaming lol
I feel for the dope users, and feel a lot more for their family and friends--a guaranteed tragedy and bad ending. I have learned that I can't do anything about it. Best thing was it showed me that I wanted no part of it. Over 45 years, I have watched friends and acquaintances caught up in it. I lost one of my childhood throughout best friends to it. Miss him a lot to this day. Do I feel sorry for him?? no I am still mad at him--and the same for every other user torturing themselves, family and friends.
if they want to selfishly ruin so many lives, then so be it. just don't come crying expecting everyone else to fix the situation--a hard stance but pretty much the reality
jmo--don't expect total agreement
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Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Feb 02 2016 at 10:08am
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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
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Posted By: Cooper
Date Posted: Feb 02 2016 at 12:41pm
SpiderJohn is right about the wrong type of resident moving out. The only reason there hasn't been a mass exodus is for every four offers on houses, only one buyer qualifies. One of the most highly priced homes in the city on Thorn Hill once had a tax value of nearly a million dollars. Its now at about three hundred fifty thousand.
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Posted By: SEEKING THE TRUTH
Date Posted: Feb 07 2016 at 7:08pm
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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.
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