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Lebanon sewer rates will increase in 2010

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 10:20 AM Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Lebanon City Council approved a 3 percent raise in sewer rates Monday, Nov. 23, but not without disagreement.

The raise, which will take effect Jan. 1, is expected to raise the average resident’s rates by $1.12 a month and will raise approximately $100,000 a year for the fund, according to Lebanon city manager Pat Clements. The money is necessary to maintain cash reserves going forward and would ease the pain of a larger raise that may become necessary in the future, Clements said.

Councilwoman Charleen Flick voted against the increase because she is against large monies from the sewer fund being used to support the general fund.

Jeff Monroe said the city should wait until a rate raise was absolutely necessary to enact one, citing the recent postponement of plans to add new equipment to the waste water facility because of a slow down in the population increase.

“If Lebanon isn’t growing at the rate we need infrastructure, we should wait before we collect the money for these things,” Monroe said.

Clements said while he was troubled by the large charge backs going to the general fund, they are legal and necessary due to the “revenue restraints” on the general fund, which is expected to be in deficit by 2011.

Mayor Amy Brewer said the city needed to keep the service solvent.

“No one like to raise rates, but as a council we have a financial responsibility to make sure all the city services are running and functioning as they should be and pay for themselves, “ Brewer said.

Brewer also said the city needed to be prepared in case the Ohio EPA imposed new regulations on waste water treatment that the city would have to pay for.

Council approved the raise by a slim 4-3 margin. Brewer, Vice Mayor Ben Cole and councilmen Jeff Aylor and Jim Norris voted in favor of the raise, while Flick, Monroe, and councilman Matt Rodriguez were against it.

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3 percent used to support the general fund, this was needed because city empolyees got a 4 1/2 percent raise at the start of 2009.. this is a tax to cover the cost of giving the raises!!

taxmy
8:42 AM, 11/30/2009

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why is it every time the general fund doesn't have enough money that the city government raises
some kind of rate? (electric rates, sewer rates, etc..) if they would spend the tax dollars wisely then they wouldn't have to raise the rates everytime the general fund got low..spare me the sarcasm about if you don't like it move speech, some people have been here for years (like the senior citizens). city governments should have to cut back just like tax payers have had to in this dire economy

SHERRY
6:08 PM, 11/25/2009

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i agree BRUNKA'S job is not needed the city needs to find ways before taxing..and Pat is making way to much for this small city!!! its plain to see that this city goverment is living good while the people that feed them are living with less!!!

leb
6:51 AM, 11/25/2009

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City manager $112,961 all benefits paid, insurance, retirement, so now its 160,000 or better not bad for a small town..SCOTT BRUNKA $92,783 Deputy city manager, this position is not needed.. this is 2008 wages so 2009 is way higher, thinking pats wage is now around 124,000 so with beneies around 175,000 for pat!!!now brunka is around 98,000 living is good for some... when in need just add tax!!!

whodey
6:27 AM, 11/25/2009

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they sure can waste money when they have it, seen the elec dept over the weekend putting up the xmas lights these guys are making close to 50 bucks an hr in overtime this could have been done by the public works dept for alot less!! they need to stop the big heads from driving the city cars and trucks home at night that would save some.. the public works head drives a super duty and lives in mainville that truck has also been seen at the firehouse on RT22&3 at night and weekends!!!

thatsit
6:01 AM, 11/25/2009

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