By John Estridge
Proposed water and sewer rate increases for Brookville may not be based on studies and or complete studies following answers to questions posed by Observer reporter Bridget Hayes at the BTC meeting Tuesday night, January 26.
Just before meeting’s end, Hayes asked questions about the proposed water and sewer rates. Even though the new rules state people, including media, can ask questions at meeting’s end about items on the meeting’s agenda, Curtis hesitated in answering the questions.
BTC President Curtis Ward read, in their entirety, proposed water and sewer ordinances concerning the proposed rate increases for their first reading earlier in the meeting. However, before he answered, he asked fellow council members if they wanted to answer questions about the proposed rates before it was agreed the answers would take place.
Brookville Town Council members propose for the rates for sewer to increase by 20 percent in the first year (2021), 3 percent the second year and 3 percent the third year. Water rates are to increase by 5 percent the first year (2021) and then 3 percent in each of the next two years. Council also agreed to increase the rates for out-of-town customers by 50 percent at the prior January meeting.
At the January 12 meeting, according to Brookville Town Administrator Tim Ripperger, the average water bill for a family using 4,000 gallons a week is $10.07 and for out-of-town users, $12.58. The average current sewage bill for a family at 4,000 gallons is $25.40 per month.
Ripperger said the last rate increase was in 2015.
According to Ward, Baker Tilly began a rate study either in 2019 or 2020 and just finished it. The company actually suggested a larger increase than what council proposed, he said. Ward was on the committee looking into the rate increases with former BTC member Darrel Flaspohler, Ward said at both January meetings.
However, Hayes – during her questioning – said she had requested the rate study. What was sent to her via email was the preliminary study. She asked if there was anything beyond a preliminary study with preliminary information.
“Do you have a final report or are you basing your sewer rate increase on this preliminary information?” Hayes asked.
Ripperger said that was the final report. However, Hayes replied it said on the report it was the preliminary.
Clerk/Treasurer Gina Gillman said she may have sent the wrong report. Ward said there was a final report, and he would have Gillman send it to Hayes. As of Friday, January 29, Hayes had not received any other reports.
“How did you come up with increases in the water rates if the study just only addressed the sewer rate?” Hayes asked next.
That was when Ward asked if the other council members wanted to answer questions about the proposed water rates at the time of the meeting. When Ward read the ordinance for the water rate increases, it said it was based on a Baker Tilly study.
Ward said the sewer rate study was done because the town’s largest customer, Brookville Lake Regional Water District’s contract with the town is coming to an end, and the two entities must decide on a new contract with its stipulations, which includes rates. He said water rates are typically based off previous data before council and previous councils as well as cost of living increases and service and maintenance costs.
He then said since the last water rate increase was in 2015, council members did not want to go to substantial rate increases. He said the water did not need a rate study because everything has been going smoothly while there has been a need to have extensive and costly maintenance on the sewer system.
Hayes pointed out the water rate ordinance, read by Ward, minutes before she asked her questions, referred to a Baker Tilly study. She asked if the public could see that study.
First, Ward said he didn’t think they had a study but asked Ripperger if there was one. Gillman said there is a study for the sewer.
Then, according to Ward, when he read the ordinance and saw the mention of the report, he was also confused.
“We don’t have a rate study for the water,” Ward said.
Brookville Town Attorney Tammy Davis said she would amend that part of the ordinance.
Ward and Ripperger said the proposed sewer rate increases are to help offset recent costs in replacing grinder pumps, brush bearings and other materials at the sewage treatment plant or that facilitates the treatment at the plant.
A public hearing on the matter will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 9, while the vote to approve the two proposed rate increases will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 23.
