EATON — City council approved multiple ordinances on second reading to enact a nine percent increase on the city’s water and sewer rates during their meeting on Thursday, Feb. 18.
This meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, Feb. 15, but was cancelled due to weather conditions.
Ordinances 21-01 through 21-06 were all voted on and passed unanimously after their second reading, meaning the increase will take effect in 30 days.
Since the city’s billing is delayed, changes on customers’ bills will be reflected later this year, approximately around May.
City Manager Brad Collins said the rate adjustment is necessary because the cost to the city increases with time.
“We need to have a re-structure to generate enough revenue to cover the operation and administrative costs that are associated with the distribution, collection and treatment of water and wastewater,” he said. “We also need to plan for our future expenditures and debt services that are needed for repairs, replacements, and planned infrastructure improvements.”
Collins said that even with the upcoming adjustments, Eaton’s rates are still “very competitive” and below average relative to other local communities.
In other business
Council passed Ordinance 21-07 to make appropriation for current fiscal year expenses. Total estimated revenue, including current year revenue and unencumbered balance moving forward as of Jan. 1, 2021, is $4,622,339. Total expenditures are $3,076,165.
Resolution 21-02 was passed to transfer general revenue funds to the following special revenue funds: Public Safety Fund ($200,000), Recreation Fund ($16,250) and Fort St. Clair Fund ($20,000).
Council awarded a bid worth $499,360.05 to Wagner Paving of Laura, Ohio for paving work set to be done on Eaton Avenue, Fudge Avenue, Miller Avenue, Romadoor Avenue, Leatherman Drive, Rehmart Drive and Hook Park, as well as some alleyways.
Work is expected to begin close to the end of the current school year, and is expected to be completed in 45 days.
Council passed Resolution 21-04 to appoint Curt McNew and Chad Schaurer to the Parks and Recreation Board.
The City of Eaton Fire and EMS Division activity report for January showed a combined 228 calls for services: 133 EMS responses, including 12 second Medic responses; and 95 fire/rescue responses, including 10 general alarms.
Mutual aid was received 11 times and provided five times. There were an average of 7.4 calls per day for the month.
There was one heroin overdose response in January, the fewest since there was just one in July 2020. In total, there were 54 heroin overdose responses in 2020.
The next Eaton City Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 15 at 6 p.m. in the City Building.
