Girard council considers tying water-rate increases to cost of living

Staff report

GIRARD

An ordinance that city council is considering would raise water rates based on the cost of living as its gauged by the Consumer Price Index.

Councilman Joe Shelby asked for the legislation, which would also take away the administration’s right to raise the water rates and give it to the council.

The legislation passed one of three readings at council’s meeting last week.

Mayor Jim Melfi said the city’s law director, Brian Kren, is researching whether the ordinance can legally take that right away from the administration, and that he doesn’t want to comment until Kren finds out more.

Shelby said he believes it is legal.

“We’re totally within our rights,” he said, adding that the council gave the administration the right to set the rates and the council can rescind it.

“I’d like to keep it out of the hands of the administration so they don’t consider political ramifications, and I’d like it tied to the CPI,” he said.