WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASE — Citing the need to increase revenue to support operations and improvements to the city’s water and wastewater treatment systems, the Wellsburg Council agreed Tuesday to ‘raise the city’s water and sewer rates. -Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Citing the need to generate revenue to support operations and improvements to the city’s water and wastewater treatment systems, the Wellsburg Council on Tuesday approved first readings in favor of a rate increase city ​​water and sewerage.

Pending the second reading scheduled for the Dec. 10 council meeting, the city’s minimum monthly sewer fee will be increased in three stages: from $21.40 to $27.50 45 days after adoption, 30.80 $ after 6 subsequent months and $36.38 after 6 months from this date.

Unmetered customers will initially have a minimum monthly charge of $55.70, followed by $66.80 and $78.93 in the six-month intervals that follow.

City Manager Steve Maguschak pointed out that the city’s sewer rates have not been increased since 2010, while water rates have been increased in recent years.

Also awaiting a second reading on the same date, Wellsburg’s minimum monthly water bill is only expected to increase once: from $54.85 to $68.55.

The increase is expected to take effect 45 days after approval.

For both rate hikes, city officials cited increased operating costs and an urgent need to update water and wastewater treatment systems.

Maguschak said that to be eligible for state and federal grants for improvements, the city must increase its rates to 1.5 percent of the state’s median household income.

He said according to the most recent census, that’s $43,000.

On Tuesday, he told the council that he and others recently met with Thrasher Engineering staff to discuss potential 15-year improvements to the city’s infrastructure, some of which would be 100 years old.

These improvements include replacing a main line along Charles Street, from 12th Street to 30th Street, with a wider line.

The wider pipe should improve water pressure for customers and reduce buildup of materials that can lead to discoloration.

He said there are also plans to raise wellheads supplying water to the city to reduce the impact of flooding from the Ohio River.

Maguschak said he would like to gradually replace all of the city’s water lines, many of which are 100 years old.

He noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called for the replacement of water pipes containing lead and copper by 2027.

This order was prompted by lead pipes in Flint, Michigan, which were linked to many health problems in that area.

Magushack said that in accordance with EPA orders, an inventory of lead lines in the city was conducted.

The city is also among cities ordered by the EPA to separate combined sanitary and storm sewers to prevent fecal matter from being discharged into the Ohio River when the waste separation mechanisms become overworked by heavy rains.

The city has completed three such separations but still faces more, estimated to cost millions of dollars.

The ordinances increasing water and sewer rates also include an increase in connection fees for new customers, amounting to $100 if paid before construction and $500 if paid after .

They are also increasing disconnection and reconnection fees for customers from $25 to $30.

On Tuesday, the council also discussed business and professional taxes paid by those doing business in the city.

Fourth Ward Councilman Charlie Harris asked if there was a way the city could ensure businesses pay their fair share.

He noted that some council members have discussed a tax increase, an increase in the annual municipal service fee paid by residents or the introduction of an income tax for those who work in the city ​​in order to generate more revenue.

Harris said he wouldn’t support any of these measures without knowing whether all businesses pay their share of taxes.

City Attorney Ryan Weld said state code allows a city to investigate businesses it suspects of not paying what they owe or sue those that don’t. pay nothing, but does not require businesses to document their revenue for cities.

Harris also suggested increasing the municipal police chief’s salary from $30,000 to $48,000, effective July 1. This date follows the city’s upcoming elections, where the leader’s position will be listed on the ballot.

Harris said the city has been fortunate to have a chief, Mike Allman, who takes on more than an administrative role, putting his life on the line while enforcing laws, but he is paid less than his own officers and others department heads.

He suggested earlier that a pay raise would make the job more attractive to those following Allman.

Harris’ motion failed to gain a second.

First Ward Councilman Jack Kins said he thought the increase would be too high, while 3rd Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher questioned how it would be funded.

“You have to find out where the money is,” he said, adding that the police department had been cut one position in recent years so the city could offer raises to its officers.

Also Tuesday, the council agreed to postpone street paving until the spring because the nearest asphalt plant will close on Nov. 28, leaving little time for a contractor to complete the work.

Plans have been made to pave the pickle ball court at the Betty Carr Recreation Site before the end of the season.