By Jean Ruzicka
jruzicka@parkrapidsenterprise.com
The Akeley City Council, at the recommendation of financial consultants, approved raising monthly sewer and water rates over the next five years, but with the provision that the increases be reviewed annually to determine necessity.
Sewer rates will increase 5 percent per year in 2015 and 2.5 percent the following four years. Water rates will go up 8 percent per year, as was discussed in September.
“I have a hard time going out five years with this,” Brian Hitchcock said, Dan Riggs agreeing.
“It’s better to build a cushion, than to put it on taxes,” clerk-treasurer Sebrina Hegg counseled.
“We’ll follow the ordinance change, but address it annually,” Hitchcock said. “We can come back if it doesn’t need to be there.”
Residential and small business sewer bills will increase from $26.79 per month to $28.15 beginning in January. In 2016, with a 2.5 percent bump, residential and small business sewer bills will go up by 70 cents, $28.85 monthly.
The water usage base rate will increase from this year’s $25.17 to $27.18 in 2015 and to $36.98 in 2019.
The consumption charge, usage over 4,000 gallons, will go from this year’s $5.36 to $7.87 in 2019.
In other action, the council:
n Approved an employment agreement with Michael Levander to serve as temporary liquor store manager at $12 per hour. Manager Lacey Hitchcock is now on maternity leave.
n Agreed to designate two of the campground sites as non-seasonal, sites 21 and 8. A request that site 10 be used year-round was denied, with the council agreeing to review the request next year.
A 2014 utilization report found the campsites to be 40 percent full with a 20 percent increase in revenue over last year. From May to Oct. 3, the campground earned $72,221.
Seasonal tent sites were well used and reservations are coming in for 2015, the council learned.
The city has received several letters expressing interest in the park manager position.
n Public works director Kelly VandenEykel reported inspectors found four spots in the city sewer pipes in need of repair, but the lift stations “look good.”
The council approved the purchase of tires at $119 each for the work truck.
Leonard DeWitt has agreed to assist VandenEykel on an on-call, part-time basis. “He’s such a good worker,” VandenEykel told the council.
The wastewater treatment ponds are ready for winter, he reported.
n Agreed certified letters for unpaid utilities will be sent notifying residents the amount will be assessed via taxes if not paid by Nov. 30.
n Reported “the roof has been patched, but there’s no guarantee it will not leak due to deteriorating conditions.” The contractor recommends replacement.
n Accepted, with thanks, a $500 donation from the Akeley Lions Club.
n Heard a request from Peg Davies for the city to become a fiscal agent for a grant and to appoint a project supervisor to oversee a student who would plan and design a connection route from the Heartland Trail to downtown Akeley.
n Reported hydrants will be flushed Oct. 13-17.
