Western-Star.com

Lebanon City Council members remain undecided about proposed rate increases for water and sanitary sewer services less than a week before they must vote on the issues.

City administration has proposed raising sewer rates by 5 percent, beginning in January. A separate proposal would raise water rates by 6 percent in both 2009 and 2010. According to a report, the sewer rate increase would raise the typical monthly residential bill $2 while the water rate increase would mean a $1.50 monthly increase per residence.

In a presentation to city council, Deputy City Manager Scott Brunka said that the rate increases were necessary to fund system improvement requirements, keep up with increased expenses related to personnel and equipment costs, and maintain sufficient cash reserves for emergencies.

"Our top priority is to work to take care of basic infrastructure," said Lebanon Mayor Amy Brewer. Brewer said that she supports the rate increases because she believes they are necessary to maintaining quality water and sewer services in the community.

"If we don't support them, we will tap into our cash reserves, which are vital to maintain," Brewer said.

Council member Charleen Mehaffie Flick does not believe all the suggested improvements are necessary and feels that the rate increases for the water system are too high.

Flick said she doesn't see the necessity for replacing water meters.

"The water rates would double in 5 years and double again in 5 more," Flick said. "I think the rates need to be tied into inflation."

Council member Jeff Monroe said he is still undecided about how to vote and will further discuss the matter with city staff members.

"I want to make sure we are capable of hooking to the Greater Cincinnati Water Works, but at the same time I want to be as frugal as we can possibly be," Monroe said

City Manager Pat Clements said that if the rates were not passed, improvements to the services would have to be scrapped. Clements said that the city would also have to dip into the reserve funds for the two systems, which has already happened in 2008.

"We're in a growing town and an older town," said council member Jim Norris. "I don't personally want to see a rate increase in anything, but it's a situation that needs to be met."

Both rate increases will be voted on at the city council meeting Monday, Nov. 24.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.