Washington’s City Council held a public hearing on the changes in sewer rates and charges Monday evening. The public hearing had been publicly posted, published in the local newspaper, and reported in the last council meeting report on WAMW. No one in the meeting had any comments, and after approximately one minute, the public hearing was adjourned.
The City Council then opened their regular meeting with consideration of the ordinance raising sewer rates. The company of Bose McKinney and Evans had been asked to evaluate the city’s sewer utility’s financial position. They reported that due to the effect of inflation on the costs of equipment and supplies, Washington’s current sewer rates do not provide enough revenue to allow the utility to provide adequate service. Their recommendation was to raise sewer rates in three phases over the next three years. Based on this information, the council unanimously passed the ordinance raising the city’s sewer rates. The rate increase would add approximately $10 per month to the average family’s sewer bill.
In the public comment section of the meeting, Gretchen Brown asked if the Council had considered her request about making penalties for allowing dogs to run loose. The Council stated they were in favor of stiffer penalties but needed to consult with the prosecuting attorney concerning enforceable language. In other business, the city has received a $127,850 grant from INDOT to purchase a new city bus. Washington’s transportation advisor, Chuck Martindale, told the Council that the bus had been originally ordered in 2021 at a price of $65,000, but due to supply chain issues, the pandemic, and other problems, the bus, which will be a 2023 model, is now available, and the City needs to appropriate the grant money for the purchase. The city’s share of the purchase will be approximately $18,000. The ordinance will be voted on at the next meeting.
The Council also heard about the introduction of an ordinance to vacate an unused alley between two lots owned by Percy Lyford on Jefferson Street. Mayor Rhoads told Lyford that he needed to make a written application to vacate the alley at least 10 days before the next Council meeting, and he must notify all adjoining property owners prior to the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Rhoads was happy to announce the city pool will open next week.
The city also reminds everyone that Washington City offices and departments will be closed on May 29, and Recycling Center will also be closed on May 27. Following the council meeting, the Board of Public Works and Safety met and received bids for Community Crossings Matching Grant paving projects. Bids were received from Milestone Paving and ENB Paving. The bids were taken under advisement, and the contract will be awarded at the next meeting. In other business, the board received information that the property at 2200 E. State Street contains asbestos. The board tabled the awarding of the demolition contract to determine if the bids presented included asbestos removal. The Board also voted to place approximately $17,500 received from Monsanto in a class action settlement in the Sewer and Wastewater Department budgets.
