City of Campbell proposes water-rate increase

CAMPBELL — The city of Campbell is looking to restructure and increase its water rates.

City officials have proposed increasing a monthly fixed service cost from $12.75 to $22. They have also suggested decreasing a variable monthly fee from $5.50 per 1,000 gallons consumed to $4.50 per 1,000 gallons consumed. A fixed water capital improvements fee would remain the same at $6.75 a month.

Finance Director Michael Evanson and Council President George Levendis said the fee increase is necessary to put the water fund in the black. The fund ended April with a deficit of $96,043.

In 2014, the water department ended the year $226,685 in the red. Officials attributed that deficit to Aqua Ohio purchasing about $280,00 less in treated water from the city than it had previously. To correct that deficit, the city advanced money from the general fund to the water fund. The water fund has so far paid the general fund back all but about $126,000.

Mayor Nick Phillips has the authority to set water rates.

Councilwoman Juanita Rich expressed concerns about the effects of a rate increase on the city's residents.

"We have a lot of senior citizens in this town and their income is not going up," Rich said. "This is going to be devastating to them."

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com