Village council votes increase sewer rates

The village administrator says it's the first increase since '95.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LOWELLVILLE -- Sanitary sewer rates for village commercial and residential customers will increase 25 and 33 percent, respectively, effective Aug. 1.
Village council unanimously approved legislation at its meeting this week that raised residential rates from $15 to $20 a month; apartments from $30 to $40 per month; and small businesses, from $24 to $30 per month.
Rates for the 44 residential customers who live outside the village and pay a surcharge will increase from $27 to $32 a month. The village has no outside commercial accounts.
Lowellville has flat monthly rates that are not based on usage. The increases are the first since 1995, said Phillip Alfano, village administrator.
Alfano said the rate hikes, recommended by council's utilities committee, are necessary to offset a projected $13,000 shortfall in the sanitary sewer department this year.
Covering costs
The increases, which Alfano said should be sufficient for several years, will increase total income for the department from $118,776 to $153,456 per year.
The revenue from the sanitary fee will be divided between the sanitary sewer fund and the storm water management fund. For instance, of the $20 bill for village residents, $18 will go to the sanitary sewer fund and $2 to a new Environmental Protection Agency-mandated storm water management fund, said Mayor James Iudiciani Sr.
Iudiciani said the additional revenue is needed to offset the growing fixed costs for operating the plant, such as for chemicals, as well as the cost of repairs and upgrades.
Even with the increases, Iudiciani said Lowellville, along with Struthers, still has the lowest sanitary sewer rates in Mahoning County.
alcorn@vindy.com