It was only a First Reading, but residents can expect to see an increase in their sewer rates in the next few months.
City Engineer Steve Hargis read the staff-recommended proposal, which was outlined in the 2008-’09 City Budget for an increase of 30 cents per 1,000 gallons used.
Currently, the fee is $2.70 per 1,000 gallons. The increase would make the new rate $3.00 per 1,000 gallons. Hargis estimated the average household uses less than 6,000 gallons a month, which would translate into an increase of about $1.80 a month.
“Most homes use less than the 6,000 gallons, so it will be less,” Hargis said.
A second reading is expected at the Oct. 20 City Council meeting.
On another matter, Ward 4 City Councilman Lou Magdits asked Rolla Municipal Utilities General Manager Dan Watkins about the utility’s reluctance to allow its customers to query via e-mail.
“Dan, I’m struggling with this . . . What is the problem with having a company e-mail address? Why is this e-mail thing such a lightning rod?” Magdits asked.
Watkins responded: “Anytime you have a rate increase, anything (pause) . . . basically, it’ll be an exercise in overload,” Watkins said.
“I don’t buy that, Dan,” Magdits shot back.
“I don’t see how it’s any different than having (correspondence) through the mail. You open it; you read it; you respond to it. I may be missing something, but I just don’t see how this can be a problem,” Magdits said.
“I just don’t see what makes you different than any other business or company,” Magdits said.
Watkins responded: “It’s the nonsense that’s coming in . . . E-mail is very impersonal. I can see it taking three to four times more effort.”
The issue came to light when community activist Tom Sager, who attended Monday’s City Council meeting, asked the Board of Public Works at its August meeting for RMU to establish an e-mail account for its customers to respond.
“When are they going to join the 21st century?” Sager asked.
Ward 6 Councilwoman Donna Hawley, who has been an outspoken critic of RMU, also attended that August board meeting and echoed Sager’s concerns. Hawley did not attend the City Council meeting Monday.
In other action, the City Council . . .:
• Considered during a First Reading an ordinance that would terminate the U.S. Route 63 and Missouri Route 72 Development Agreement for the Tax-Increment Financing District. The agreement, which had a 23-year agreement would have 18 years remaining, but with incentives and time necessary to implement the district, the remaining time is estimated to be no more than 14 years, Butz said. The Final Reading is expected at the Oct. 20 meeting.
• Approved a LAGERS retirement benefit for city workers. Essentially, retiring city workers will see an increase of 2 percent in their monthly retirement benefit. As the city was to receive a 2 percent reduction in costs it pays into the system, the benefit will not come as an added expense for the city. The average city worker’s salary is $36,000. Under the LAGERS plan, a retiring city employee, with 25 years of service, will retire earning 88 percent of their ending salary through this benefit and Social Security. “It’s a very good program,” Butz said.
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It was only a First Reading, but residents can expect to see an increase in their sewer rates in the next few months.
City Engineer Steve Hargis read the staff-recommended proposal, which was outlined in the 2008-’09 City Budget for an increase of 30 cents per 1,000 gallons used.
Currently, the fee is $2.70 per 1,000 gallons. The increase would make the new rate $3.00 per 1,000 gallons. Hargis estimated the average household uses less than 6,000 gallons a month, which would translate into an increase of about $1.80 a month.
“Most homes use less than the 6,000 gallons, so it will be less,” Hargis said.
A second reading is expected at the Oct. 20 City Council meeting.
On another matter, Ward 4 City Councilman Lou Magdits asked Rolla Municipal Utilities General Manager Dan Watkins about the utility’s reluctance to allow its customers to query via e-mail.
“Dan, I’m struggling with this . . . What is the problem with having a company e-mail address? Why is this e-mail thing such a lightning rod?” Magdits asked.
Watkins responded: “Anytime you have a rate increase, anything (pause) . . . basically, it’ll be an exercise in overload,” Watkins said.
“I don’t buy that, Dan,” Magdits shot back.
“I don’t see how it’s any different than having (correspondence) through the mail. You open it; you read it; you respond to it. I may be missing something, but I just don’t see how this can be a problem,” Magdits said.
“I just don’t see what makes you different than any other business or company,” Magdits said.
Watkins responded: “It’s the nonsense that’s coming in . . . E-mail is very impersonal. I can see it taking three to four times more effort.”
The issue came to light when community activist Tom Sager, who attended Monday’s City Council meeting, asked the Board of Public Works at its August meeting for RMU to establish an e-mail account for its customers to respond.
“When are they going to join the 21st century?” Sager asked.
Ward 6 Councilwoman Donna Hawley, who has been an outspoken critic of RMU, also attended that August board meeting and echoed Sager’s concerns. Hawley did not attend the City Council meeting Monday.
In other action, the City Council . . .:
• Considered during a First Reading an ordinance that would terminate the U.S. Route 63 and Missouri Route 72 Development Agreement for the Tax-Increment Financing District. The agreement, which had a 23-year agreement would have 18 years remaining, but with incentives and time necessary to implement the district, the remaining time is estimated to be no more than 14 years, Butz said. The Final Reading is expected at the Oct. 20 meeting.
• Approved a LAGERS retirement benefit for city workers. Essentially, retiring city workers will see an increase of 2 percent in their monthly retirement benefit. As the city was to receive a 2 percent reduction in costs it pays into the system, the benefit will not come as an added expense for the city. The average city worker’s salary is $36,000. Under the LAGERS plan, a retiring city employee, with 25 years of service, will retire earning 88 percent of their ending salary through this benefit and Social Security. “It’s a very good program,” Butz said.
