Council votes to increase water rates
COSHOCTON – Coshocton City Council voted 6-1 Monday night, Feb. 29, for a 34 percent increase on citizens’ water bills.
The one no vote came from Councilman-At-Large Tom Grier.
“The reason I voted no on the water rate increase was because I felt further cost cutting procedures should have been enforced first,” he said. “I’m hoping the RCAP study will show additional saving options for the city.”
Despite that upcoming study, the majority of city council felt it was necessary to pass the ordinance increasing water rates now to counterbalance the impact of WestRock closing. Even after Utilities Director Dave McVay cut $700,000 from his budget and made staffing changes, the city was still looking at losing roughly $50,000 a month.
“Water rate increases are always a challenge,” McVay said. “We are sympathetic to our customers, but even with this increase we are still in the bottom half of the state on rates.”
They also went from a six tier to three tier billing system and most customers are looking at a $5 increase on the water line of their utility bills.
“We really appreciate this and it will allow us to maintain as a utility,” McVay said.
City council called a special meeting to make this decision on Feb. 29, but typically meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month in council chambers at city hall.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Government
