Monday, December 20, 1999
City floats water ideas
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SOUTHGATE — Officials in this Campbell County city, concerned about the possibility of a water rate hike next year from Newport, are looking at all their options when it comes to obtaining water.
But Mayor Chuck Melville emphasized that Southgate is a long way from making a decision to stop taking water from the Newport system or trying to buy the water transmission lines.
“I don't want to pull away from Newport, although a couple of my council members are pretty hot for it,” Mr. Melville said. “But it is a possibility at some time in the future. I want to at least keep the idea out there.”
Mr. Melville and Councilman Reno Deaton recently attended a Northern Kentucky Water Service District meeting and discussed obtaining all of Southgate's water from the District.
Currently, some 750 Southgate households purchase water from the neighboring Newport system, while the remaining homeowners and businesses get their water from the Water Service District.
In November, Newport voters were given the option of selling the city-owned water system to the Water Service District or retaining control, and the vote was solidly to remain a city water system.
In the wake of that vote, Newport city officials including Mayor Tom Guidugli said it was likely that the city would see another rate increase in 2000 to finance needed upgrades to the system.
“We are naturally curious if there is going to be a (rate) increase,” Mr. Melville said. “We went to the (Water Service District) meeting to put the seed in (board members') mind that we might want to go entirely with the district.”
He said two options were discussed: Southgate could buy the water lines from Newport and give them to the District, or the District could buy the lines from Newport.
“But we don't know if that could be done, and we don't know that Newport would want to sell the lines,” he said. “We have always had a great working relationship with Newport, and I want to keep it that way.”
Newport City Manager Phil Ciafardini agreed that maintaining good relations with Southgate was impor tant, and he would work with Mr. Melville and others in Southgate government to find a solution that would work for everyone.
“I understand why Southgate is looking at this, and I understand their concerns” Mr. Ciafardini said. “They are looking at all their options. But I think we all need to work together.”
Newport created a water advisory board following the November ballot issue to look into the needs of the water system and obtain input from people in all the areas who use Newport water. Mr. Melville is the Southgate representative on the advisory board.
In addition to supplying water on a retail basis to all of Newport and portions of Southgate and Woodlawn, the city sells bulk water to the Water Service District.
New wholesale rates will be considered in the coming months, and how much of an increase is approved by Newport city commissioners to bulk purchasers such as the Water Service District will depend to some extent on the income level from retail water sales.
Commissioners approved a 30 percent increase in retail water rates last summer. Mayor Guidugli indicated in November that another, possibly larger, increase was almost a certainty in 2000.
Shooting cars a dangerous tactic
Missed shots
Are teen drivers getting better?
High air fares getting attention
Toyota sets expansion at Princeton truck plant
1,000 help prelate mark anniversary
Senior center needs $23,000
Donors come through for Tristate's needy
Fireworks to usher in 2000 with bang
City floats water ideas
Handling grief at holidays
Meeting to clear air on Lemon annexation
Old homes a specialty
Tobacco farmers worried
Head Start to weigh report on contract
Lebanon might cut city jobs
No arrest in shooting of two men
Towns hope to share Butler Co. growth
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
