BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN -- City sewer and water customers may avoid a rate hike in the near future.
Commissioners have discussed the issue for weeks. But at a workshop meeting Tuesday, City Manager Ron Olson told commissioners the situation has changed.
A pending contract for the city to provide sewer services to a local industry would add nearly $225,000 annually to the sewer fund. That would eliminate the need for a sewer rate increase in the immediate future, said Mr. Olson and Preston Combs, public works director.
Upon learning that news, commissioners agreed to table for two weeks the proposal to raise water and sewer rates by 1 percent or 2 percent.
Commissioners were leaning toward the modest rate increase to reduce the chance of a substantial rise in both water and sewer rates within the next few years. Early projections indicated increases of 14 percent for water and 5 percent for sewers.
The proposal included 1 percent to 2 percent increases for each of the next several years.
While the proposed increase would only cost the average customer about 34 cents per month for the first year, commissioners agreed the best approach could be delaying an increase if that could be done without significantly affecting customers later.
A 1 percent rate hike would generate an extra $50,000 for the water fund and $55,000 for the sewer fund, Mr. Combs said.
Mr. Olson said it's difficult to predict revenues and costs, but he thinks the city could likely get by with no rate increases for about five years. Then, however, increases could total 12 percent, with more increases to follow.
Commissioners unanimously agreed with Jerry Banks' proposal to table the discussion until the next meeting.
During the regular meeting commissioners heard complaints from residents about police cracking down on skateboarders and in-line skaters on city and private property.
Residents complained there is no place in the city for young people to enjoy these sports. They asked commissioners to consider building a skating park or to provide existing space for skaters.
