Small Town News

Harveyville rates increased to stay above water

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Harveyville City Council Members know the decision to raise utility rates is not a popular one, but did so to fulfill their infrastructure obligations.

Several months of discussion preceded the vote Monday night to raise rates, with council members running numbers to determine what would be the minimum needed and whether going a bit higher would allow some cushion for paying down the debt incurred with the water system replacement.

The ordinance approved changes the minimum meter fee to $25 per month and also establishes a mark-up per 1,000 gallons over the cost to the city to allow for maintenance of the system and paying off bond debt. The mark-up fees are based on whether the customer is a resident, nonresident or using the water station.

"The reasoning was to support the debt obligation we have," Mayor Dustin Kuntz said.

Treasurer Debbie Converse asked about the base monthly meter fee for residents who choose not to have water or other utilities.

"Some choose not to have water, but should still be billed $25, right?" she asked.

She continued, saying that the city offers the service of water, trash and sewer, whether someone chooses to use it or not, and should continue to collect the minimum fees for each service to support the continuation of the infrastructure.

"Debbie is saying if there is access to the system on that property they need to pay the minimum," Kuntz said.

"It'd be unfair to the rest of the cities for someone to say, T don't want water. Pull my meter,'" she said.

Council Member Lou Hall said he could see charging the $25 meter fee if someone lives on a property, but added he has a hard time with charging the vacant property.

Discussion continued regarding trash and sewer, but no action was taken to determine who should be billed for basic utility fees.

However, the council did approve Ordinance 301 to change water rates and will publish the notice before it goes into effect.

Council members also were asked to consider impound fees for vehicles that are impounded in an effort to abate a nuisance.

Nuisance Officer Tyrel Buch-meier asked the council to make a decision on what to charge for impound fees and for cleaning up a nuisance property.

Kuntz said clean-up rates were established a while ago and include rates per man-hour and for various types of equipment.

He added that a rate with a cost above the actual charge could be established for future impounds.

"I'd encourage the council to establish your own impound fees," Buchmeier said. "If you impound a vehicle that's been a real pain for us, slap 'em with a bill. A big bill."

Buchmeier said the impound fee is $20 per day per vehicle, in addition to a towing fee of $130 per vehicle. He added the vehicles must be impounded 30 days before the city can take steps to get the legal process started and get rid of the vehicle.

Buchmeier also reported that one dog still is tethered in town for more than an hour per day or at a time, and he is working on that situation.

In patron's comments, Tammy Cheuvront said she talked with City Superintendent Randy Brown last year about doing a community garden, but it was too late in the season at that time.

This year, she is trying again and asked the city to donate land and support the garden with some help from Brown. She said there is real need in the community and it could be a valuable project.

"If those who have the need are willing to put some time in ... we'd get a lot out of it," she said.

The council discussed the idea and Kuntz summarized the discussion, saying "go for it."

Resident Avis Riggin asked City Clerk Ellen Bayless when city bills are due, and Bayless said they are due on the 15tn of each month.

"Why is it taken out of the bank on the first?" Riggin asked.

Bayless said that is the day the bills are sent to the bank.

"But they're not due for two weeks," Riggin countered.

Converse, who works at the bank, said the bank receives the bills on the first and runs the bills the same day they arrive. She said when she runs one she has to run them all, so she can't pick and choose when to run each bill.

Kuntz said the city has pushed back its due date for bills to try to fall more in line with assistance checks, but said it seems that by helping people the city has created a few hornets' nests as well.

In other city reports, Brown said once the weather warms up another batch of meters will need switched out.

"We've got to clean up the old to satisfy the state, and then we've got to fix the system," he said, adding that the recent switches mean many of the meters will need replaced at the same time, and he will have to do some early and some late to help the cycle run smoothly.

Kuntz also reported that a meeting will take place at 2 p.m. March 14 at City Hall to determine the future of the ball association in Harveyville. He said they are looking for new leadership and if people don't step up the city may not have ball this year.

Kuntz also asked Brown to get the restroom at the ball field ready by softball season.

Kuntz reported the city closed on the lake property on Friday and asked Brown to remind the Rural Water Association that if it wants any equipment from the old water plant it has until mid-summer to retrieve it.

Brown also thanked Hall for getting the city a new pump, and asked the council for advice on the streets, which are losing their bases with the thaw cycle. The council advised him to get gravel.

Bayless also reported that she planned to look at new copiers Tuesday.



Copyright 2010 The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise, Alma, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise Alma, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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