The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

 

Published January 28, 2015

Former mayor warns city on rate increase

By Jeff Thompson
CAMDENTON - An ordinance dealing with water and sewer rate hikes was given first-reading approval by the Board of Aldermen last week but not without a warning from a former mayor.

The monthly water rate is scheduled to increase from $8.80 for the first 2,000 gallons to $10 while the $3.25 charge for every 1,000 gallons thereafter remains the same.

The monthly sewer base rate would increase from $6.85 to $8.28 while the $2.18 charge for every 1,000 gallons of water used would - like the proposed water rate - remain the same.

“I’m happy to report we’ve kept this number fairly small,” Mayor John McNabb said.

According to a water rate comparison chart, Camdenton’s new rates would still be lower than most other municipalities in the lake area.

The last rate adjustment was in February of 2012, according to a report to the board from City Administrator Jeff Hancock; the new rates would increase water and sewer revenues by approximately $56,000 annually.

Although the board voted unanimously in favor of the price hike, a former city official urged caution before the vote was taken during a public hearing.

Former Camdenton mayor Kerry Shannon brought up the issue of leakage within the city water lines but was assured by Public Works Director Bill Jeffries that it was below a DNR-mandated 10 percent limit.

In addition, Shannon said he didn’t care for the idea that residents and businesses would continue to - in effect - subsidize the amount of money being spent to remove trichloroethylene from the Mulberry Well from an alleged dumping of the chemical by Sunstrand several years ago.

(Sunstrand was a local business located at the end of Mulberry Lane that has since been closed and absorbed by another company).

“The expenses that don’t get paid for is what concerns me,” Shannon said. “To my knowledge Sunstrand has never paid a dime.”

Hancock said the city continues to work on the problem.

“We’re in negotiations with them,” Hancock said, “I think we’re moving much faster now.”

However, Shannon urged swifter action by city officials.

“Someone needs to jump on the ball and hold their feet to the fire,” he said.

Alderman Sandy Osborn said the city was limited in what it could say about the trichloroethylene-Sunstrand problem.

“While we’re in negotiations there’s not a lot we can talk about,” Osborn said but assured Shannon city officials were moving forward.

“Your points are well taken,” Hancock said to Shannon, “(and) we will narrow down the use of extra water.”

Osborn requested the board only give a first-reading approval to the rate-hike ordinance and the rest of the aldermen agreed.

Second-reading approval could occur as early as the next regular board meeting set for Tuesday, Feb. 3.

According to the ordinance itself, the new rates were supposed to take effect on Feb. 1 but that date has been moved to March 1.

Alderman Steve Eden was not present at the Jan. 20 meeting.

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