Your Summer (July) utility bills
By now you have received your summer utility (combined water and sewage) bills. As you likely recall from press releases, emails and newsletters, your rates have increased 130 % to pay for mandated (Ohio EPA) improvements to your sewage treatment plant ($4.3 million required to build a new plant prior to the end of 2007) and to significantly upgrade the water treatment plant ($1.5 million required to upgrade the water processing and filtration system to new standards). ATS Engineering has already begun the process of submitting new designs to the OEPA for their approval and we are preparing to go to bid to obtain the lowest price to get the job done. Your Council has researched various options and they are unanimous in that it is the best choice is to keep both plants, upgrade them as required, and to remain independent of the Cincinnati water and sewage systems.
While our rates are temporarily higher now (they used to be one of the lowest) in the area, that will soon change as our neighbors also raise their combined utilty rates to deal with billions of dollars of their mandated improvements.
Many residents are calling in to question the new utility bill....to make sure it is right. The minimum used to be $54.40 and now it is $126.29 . The average bill used to be $122.80 and now it is $284.89 . Residents are encouraged to look at their usage and compare it to their usage from the same time last year. If your usage is up substantially, you may have a leak that needs your immediate attention. With the new rates now in place, it is extremely important to correct any and all water leaks to prevent a larger bill. If you suspect a leak, contact us and we will check your house for you at no charge.
Phyllis (pdepeel@glendaleohio.org) or Sally (swilson@glendaleohio.org) will be glad to accept emails to check water bills or set up an appointment to check for leaks on your property (or you may call them at 771-7200).
The new rates are in place for as long as is necessary to make the required improvements and to pay the debt of the low 2.75% interest construction loans. In August I will be applying for a 0% grant loan from the S.C.I.P. (State Capital Improvement Program) to try to get a grant (0% loan) for apx. $1.5 million to significantly upgrade the water plant. The rates were increased to pay back a loan for this amount based upon a low interest 2.75% loan from the OEPA. If we get the 0% grant/loan, that will mean that we can begin to lower water rates. You have the pledge of the Mayor, Council and Administrator that we will only charge that which is absolutely necessary to get this job done. Any unnecessary excess revenues will result in a reduction of utility rates.
WW Cordes
While our rates are temporarily higher now (they used to be one of the lowest) in the area, that will soon change as our neighbors also raise their combined utilty rates to deal with billions of dollars of their mandated improvements.
Many residents are calling in to question the new utility bill....to make sure it is right. The minimum used to be $54.40 and now it is $126.29 . The average bill used to be $122.80 and now it is $284.89 . Residents are encouraged to look at their usage and compare it to their usage from the same time last year. If your usage is up substantially, you may have a leak that needs your immediate attention. With the new rates now in place, it is extremely important to correct any and all water leaks to prevent a larger bill. If you suspect a leak, contact us and we will check your house for you at no charge.
Phyllis (pdepeel@glendaleohio.org) or Sally (swilson@glendaleohio.org) will be glad to accept emails to check water bills or set up an appointment to check for leaks on your property (or you may call them at 771-7200).
The new rates are in place for as long as is necessary to make the required improvements and to pay the debt of the low 2.75% interest construction loans. In August I will be applying for a 0% grant loan from the S.C.I.P. (State Capital Improvement Program) to try to get a grant (0% loan) for apx. $1.5 million to significantly upgrade the water plant. The rates were increased to pay back a loan for this amount based upon a low interest 2.75% loan from the OEPA. If we get the 0% grant/loan, that will mean that we can begin to lower water rates. You have the pledge of the Mayor, Council and Administrator that we will only charge that which is absolutely necessary to get this job done. Any unnecessary excess revenues will result in a reduction of utility rates.
WW Cordes
posted by Walter W. Cordes, Village Administrator @ 11:52 AM
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