JACKSON CENTER — Jackson Center residents will soon be paying slightly more for water and sewer service.
At the Jackson Center Village Council meeting Monday night, the council passed an ordinance that will increase the charges and rates for water and sewer by three percent in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The 2016 water rate for 0 to 5,000 gallons will be $17.26 per month and the 2016 sewer rate for 0 to 5,000 gallons will be $26.42 per month. Additionally, a customer charge of $5 per month for water will be implemented in installments over the next three year period (2016, 2017 and 2018). Water customers will pay a $2.50 customer charge in 2016. In 2017 the customer charge will be increased by a $1.50 bringing the customer charge to $4 in 2017. Then in 2018, the customer charge will be increased by a $1 bringing the total to $5 in 2018.
Additionally, a customer charge of $7.50 per month for sewer will be implemented in installments over the next three year period (2016, 2017 and 2018). Sewer customers will pay a $3.50 customer charge in 2016. In 2017 the customer charge will be increased by $2.50, bringing the customer charge to $6 in 2017. Then in 2018, the customer charge will be increased by a $1.50 bringing the total to $7.50 in 2018.
The customer charges will not vary with usage and will be used for meters, meter maintenance and replacement, collection system maintenance, capital costs, and sewer plant maintenance. The new rates will become effective with the bills due Feb. 15, 2016.
Also at the meeting Larry Wahrer reported that September was a favorable month and the month-to-date revenue exceeded expenses by about $38,000. Wahrer also reported that for the year revenue exceeded expenditures by over $417,000 and September income tax receipts were close to $12,000 more than September of last year.
Wahrer also reported the first nine months of this year the village was running 9.50 percent ahead of this time last year. He went on to report that compared to 2010, they are about a quarter of a million dollars ahead of where we were at that time. All the funds are doing well except the Refuse Fund is still $2,000 in the red, but by the end of the year that should be in the black and the Swimming Pool Fund will undoubtedly end up in the red, but that is to be expected. Wahrer said September was a good month.
Mayor Scott Klopfenstein stated that Monday was Council Member Jack Toomey’s last meeting on village council. Toomey was appointed on July 28, 2014 to fill an unexpired term. However, due to recent changes in the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System Rules and Regulations, Toomey has to retire from public employment to keep receiving his full retirement benefits.
Klopfenstein thanked Toomey for his service to the village and expressed that he has been an asset to the village with the knowledge that he brought to the position with his past service and his service as Shelby County Commissioner. Klopfenstein went on to say that he will be missed.
Klopfenstein then recognized Don Mann for his service to the village. Mann was appointed on Oct. 7, 1974 as the village’s first Zoning Enforcement Officer. He retired from the position on Sept. 30 of this year.
Klopfenstein told Mann that the village appreciated the 41 years of dedicated and loyal service and had never heard anyone complain about how he did his job. He said Mann always handled himself in a professional manner and have been an asset to the community and they appreciate what he has done.
Village Administrator Bruce Metz stated to all present that Mann also served as groundskeeper for the village and was appointed to that position on April 15, 1992 and served in that position through 2011. Metz went on to say that Mann has also served on the village Fire Department many years ago. Metz then presented Mann with a token of the village’s appreciation and thanked him for his service.
The next village council meeting will be Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
