Streetsboro Discusses Increase in Water Rates
Streetsboro City Council members began Monday evening’s finance meeting with a discussion on old business about the AECOM Water Rate Study. The discussion focused on a potential water rate increase that Finance Director, Jenny Esarey hopes will pass by the end of the year.
During a meeting held earlier this year, council members deliberated changing the rate from it’s current 2 percent to an increase that would set the rate at 3.5 percent. However at Monday’s meeting, Esarey expressed her concerns that the 1.5 percent increase may not be enough to sustain capital expenditure and upcoming projects like the purchasing of new Neptune Water Meters.
“We had talked about a 3.5 percent increase but after doing all the calculations with regard to the proposed 2022 budget and also where we are this year, I’m recommending that we do a 3.75 increase.”
Although the finance committee was recently given money from the American Funds to put toward projects for this year, after reviewing total funds and the budget for the 2022 fiscal year, Esarey told council members that she thinks the rate increase will be significant in the completion of important projects this year.
While other council members agreed that the city is due for a water rate increase, they are hesitant in fear of increasing the rate too drastically.
“I definitely believe we should make the increase to allow all these projects to happen,” says council member, Justin King. “However I am still a big proponent of …. the most minimal increase possible on the residents,”
The county passed the 2 percent increase earlier this year per ordinance 2583.
Esarey says that under a new agreement the 3.75 percent increase will only last from 2022 until 2027 before returning back to the original 2 percent.
After council members took recess for an executive session to deliberate more on the matter, Esarey asked that they consider passing the rate increase before the end of the year. She hopes accommodations for extra meetings and discussions will be made if the council has other concerns or questions regarding the proposal.
King said he plans to look more in depth at the finance budget and the rate increase proposal this week and entertained the motion to have a special finance agenda set for the November 8th meeting.
The council had no further questions for Esarey regarding the matter and will discuss the motion for special finance during the next council meeting was passed. The special finance will serve as a for council members to discuss all aspects of the Water Rate Increase proposal to have clear understanding of the financial impact before making a decision.
Mayor of Streetsboro Glen Broska says that residential costs regarding the contract with GPD is “more than fair.”
— Halena (@halenasepulved) October 26, 2021
Mayor of Streetsboro Glen Broska says that residential costs regarding the contract with GPD is “more than fair.”
— Halena (@halenasepulved) October 26, 2021
Council member Chuck Kocisko raises concerns about the cost residents will have to take on from a potential contract with GPD to design Twin Hills Waterline Project
— Halena (@halenasepulved) October 26, 2021
Both T-7119 and T-7120 were moved to first reading and passed as emergency by a unanimous decision from the Streetsboro council members.
— Halena (@halenasepulved) October 26, 2021
Tonight’s Streetsboro city council meeting has begun with a finance and budgeting meeting. They will then have a separate general meeting.
— Halena (@halenasepulved) October 25, 2021
