Campbell council president defends ‘politically incorrect’ water rate increase

June 16, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

CAMPBELL

Campbell City Council President George Levendis let loose a full-throated defense of Mayor Nick Phillip’s decision to increase city water rates, effective July 1.

Levendis, a county- commissioner candidate, prefaced the public comments portion of the regular Wednesday meeting by telling members of an unusually large crowd that they would understand the need for the rate increase if they had been attending meetings regularly.

“If you’re not informed, it’s your fault,” Levendis said. “Not our job.”

Phillips announced last week that residents will see a change in their water rates: the monthly fixed service cost will increase from $12.75 to $21.75; the variable monthly fee will decrease $5.50 per 1,000 gallons consumed to $4.50 per 1,000 gallons consumed. A fixed water capital-improvements fee will remain the same at $6.75 a month. The average Campbell household uses 4,430 gallons per month, according to the finance office.

The increase is necessary, Phillips said, to put the water department budget in the black. The fund ended April with a $96,043 deficit.

City officials say the fund’s problems arose two years ago when Aqua Ohio began purchasing less treated water from the city than it previously had, resulting in a $226,685 water fund deficit at the end of 2014. To cover that deficit, council approved the transfer of money from the general fund to the water department. Since then, council has been approving a series of transfers to pay back the general fund.

“Mayor, again, I commend you on being brave enough to do a decision that is not the politically correct decision,” Levendis said. “If every decision we made was a popular decision, we would be right back in fiscal emergency.”

Campbell spent 2004 to 2013 in fiscal emergency, as determined by the Ohio auditor.

“Come up to the microphone,” Levendis told the crowd. “You’re more than likely to gripe and moan and blame everybody else. ... If anybody doesn’t like the way I do my job, you’re more than welcome to run. ... Then I’ll come up to the microphone, and I’ll give you the business.”

He added, “Say anything you want. Just don’t swear, ’cause I’ll swear back.”

After Levendis’ speech, one person, former council clerk Katherine Garmin, spoke. She commended the mayor and council president for their candor and said she was glad she came to the meeting after hearing “rumors” about city water.

Fourth Ward Councilwoman Juanita Rich referred to the water deficit and suggested on the floor Wednesday that Dr. Michael Evanson, finance director, should be replaced.

“I do not believe he adequately informed council as to what was going on,” Rich said.