Water, Sewer Rate Increases Get More Consideration From City Council

City Council decided to examine more options for water and sewer rate increases at its meeting Monday night.

Council members looked at a five-year plan , a Canton-based consultant team, and some members decided rates were too steep and were projected to increase too far into the future.

“To put that out for our residents, that’s more than they can really stomach, and that’s more than I can stomach, either,” said.

The sewer and water rate increases will help the city keep up with inflation, repairs and other general costs, council members said. In ARCADIS’ plan looking at the next three years, water rates rose by 9.5, 8 and 5 percent, while sewer rates rose 10 percent.

“Looking out farther ahead, I’m not real comfortable with that,” Cerreta said. “I’m not real comfortable with that as far as our residents and the fact there are a lot of things we have to look at. The economy is in a different stage right now. The economy could change in two years and we could make another decision at that time.”

He suggested the city examine increases on a two-year basis to accommodate any changes in the city or economy.

suggested giving residents outside the city, such as those in Plain and Lake townships, the option to buy the city’s water. He said the city could notify the residents of that option through the mail.

“We could double our production and actually lessen the impact of a rate increase (on our residents),” Snyder said.

Council decided to table the proposed changes to allow for more discussion.

IN OTHER BUSINESS:

• A member of attended Monday night’s meeting and spoke in favor of vacating the alley that runs parallel to West Maple Street between Mohler Court and Ream Avenue NW. She said the alley, if vacated, could be blocked off and used for outdoor activities through the church. Council agreed to vacate the alley.

• Fire Chief John Bacon told Council about received for four LifePak 15 monitor/defibrillators.

• Council also agreed to go forward with an ordinance to spend no more than $400,000 to widen North Main Street between Applegrove and Orion streets. The city still is working on getting the cooperation of a couple businesses along North Main Street.

• Council agreed to meet at 7 p.m. the following Tuesday, Jan. 17, in North Canton City Hall instead of Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.