Sheldon water rate increase on hold

Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Three of Sheldon's four waste water lagoon aerators are out of service and awaiting repair. Replacement cost for the four aerators is $30,000. Gabe Franklin/Daily Mail

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The Sheldon Board of Aldermen chose to postpone a vote that would have raised water rates for utility customers Thursday evening.

"There are a lot of people in town that are struggling to get by month-to-month as it is," Gwen Coquillette said as she delivered a petition to the board opposing an increase in the water rates.

When the matter was taken up again later in the meeting, mayor pro tem Robert Moran spoke first.

"I and other council members have received a lot of comments from members of the community," Moran said.

According to Moran, the last water rate increase was in 2009 when the minimum was changed from $6 per month to $12 per month.

"At the time, there were a number of people who said we can't afford that. You're doubling the water rate," Moran said.

Referring to last month's first reading of the ordinance, Coquillette said, "We didn't have any notice the first time. No one knew you were even considering it."

Vicki Jadlot asked why the city had not raised the water rates a little at a time.

"I think it was just pushed down the road rather than being dealt with," Moran said.

"Having not raised it since 2009, we have been in effect giving free water."

Moran noted that customers using less than 2,000 gallons of water per month, will not see a sizable increase in their bill and estimates the city has been providing water at about 1/3 of the actual cost.

"People can choose how much they choose to use -- but we cannot continue to sell water at a 2/3 loss," Moran said.

Alderman Perry Fowler said, "This raises my bill too."

Alderman Gene Leininger said, "We can't even be eligible for loans unless we raise our rates."

Sheldon resident Jerod Lamb said he would rather see repairs and upgrades funded locally rather then by relying on loans. He suggested the city adjust the sewer rates to raise money.

"This is about borrowing power, I understand that," Lamb said.

Lamb said he thinks the ordinance should have been posted before being read.

Area resident Cole Reed said replacing the entire system as a single project is more cost effective than stretching repairs and replacements out over time.

Lamb said Sheldon's water quality isn't the problem; it just tastes bad. He said the United States Department of Agriculture has previously rejected a loan because the water quality was not poor enough.

Leininger said he doesn't think residents understand the rate increase, that low usage customers will not see a significant increase.

Moran asked for and received a consensus from the board to table the decision on water rates until next month.

In other business, Moran provided a chart to the members of the board and to Lt. John Randall from the Vernon County Sheriff's Office showing the times a deputy had been in Sheldon on contracted time. Randall answered several questions regarding when a deputy was in the city.

Moran said the current nuisance ordinance is out of date and being rewritten. He gave the example that under the current ordinance, the owner of a dog running loose is required to appear before the city judge and the city judge is required to clear the docket until the loose dog issue is resolved.

* By unanimous vote, the board approved a contract with the Vernon County Commission for computer services for 2016 taxes.

* By unanimous vote, the board approved the 2016 tax levy. The rate will be 55.48 cents per $100 assessed valuation to the general fund and 17.77 cents per $100 assessed valuation to the street light fund.

* Three of the waste-water lagoon's aerators are broken. City maintenance supervisor Joe Bzrchowski has removed them from the lagoon and is working on repairing them. Replacement of all four aerators for the lagoon would cost approximately $30,000.

* The city has a problem with muskrats digging into the bank of the lagoon and suspects roots from nearby trees may have grown into the lagoon causing leaks.

* Moran said dredging and repairs to the lagoon could cost more than $300,000.

* Moran and Leiniginger are scheduled to attend a waster water orientation class this coming week.

* Phyllis Sprenkle gave a report for Community Betterment. The ribbon cutting for the new bandstand will be Aug. 18 before the opening ceremony for the picnic. She said Community Betterment is planning a recognition for the Donaldson trust on Saturday, Aug. 20. A community give-and-take is planned for Sept. 17 at the city park from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to everyone. Sprenkle described it as a yard sale but without money.

* Fire Chief Bill Jeffries reported that hydrant flushing and testing are underway, and there are a couple of hydrants that are not draining after being turned out.

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