Utility rate ordinances pass

The Rensselaer City Council met Monday evening and the first item on the agenda was a public hearing for three rate ordinances: for trash pickup, water, and sewer. There were only two members of the public who attended to make comments and ask questions; I expected more. John Julien from the City's financial advisor, Baker Tilly, summarized the justification for each of the rate hikes. The Sanitation Department (Trash) has lost money for the past three years and has needed a subsidy from the City's general fund. Also, there will be a need to replace trucks in the future and to provide residents with totes that new trucks will be able to lift and empty. His firm estimated that the department needs an additional $189,000 each year and to get the money needed to be self-sustaining. The ordinance replaces the current sticker program with a monthly fee. The fee will be implemented in three stages and after 2023 it will be $19 dollars a month per residence. Also, Sanitation will become a standalone utility and will have to rely on fees, with no subsidies from the City's general fund. 

The Sewage Department must cover day-to-day cost plus changes mandated by the State. Its fee will be increased in three stages and after 2023 the extra charge per household will be about $9.30. Baker Tilly estimates the annual shortfall for the water utility at $225,000 annually. There is also a need for a new water tower to serve the interstate area. Again the increased fees will be implemented in three stages. After 2023 the average bill will increase by about $4.60.

All three ordinances were introduced in the September 14 meeting and they were advertised in the Rensselaer Republican on September 30. All of three passed the Council unanimously.

Next there was a discussion of a golf cart ordinance that contains lots of rules and regulations. The Council approved the ordinance subject to three changes that the city attorney will put into the ordinance. There was one negative vote; Noelle Weishaar said she was concerned about safety.

The gas tracker for the month of October will be a 4.5¢ increase per hundred cubic feet. The council reaffirmed a telephone poll to change the financing for the aerial truck but no explanation was given of what the change was. The Police Department and the Jasper County Sheriff's Department will be getting the Spillman dispatch software up and running this week. Finally, the Council approved $8000 to take down an additional six trees in Western Cemetery. 

Before the Council meeting, the Board of Public Works met. It gave authorization to their engineering firm to submit an amended plan for the sewer project to USDA Rural Development, the funding agency. The sewer project consists of a new lift station near the high-water treatment plant and extensions of sewer service along W Washington and Owens Streets. The entire project is estimated to cost $7.2 million and much of it is mandated by State regulations or laws. 

The BPW considered and rejected a request for a waiver of the environmental fee for an individual who lives outside City limits but gets at least one City utility.

Below are a few more pictures of entries on the Scarecrow Trail. Because this post discussed sewers, it seems appropriate to begin with the scarecrow from Rensselaer Septic Tanks (which people in Rensselaer should not need).

Shouldn't Chief do a tin man rather than a scarecrow? 

Krause and Company are certified public accountants.

The Rensselaer chapter of Tri-Kappa is celebrating the centennial of the 19th amendment, giving women right to vote nationally.