By Richard Zowie
Leader Staff Writer
Amid much debate and facing a looming budget deficit crisis in the water plant, Oxford Village council voted 4-1 on August 12 to approve’for a public hearing’a five percent water bill increase.
The hearing will come at the council’s next meeting on August 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Depending on how well the increase works, another rate hike is possible in the near future. Moreover, the increases would apply only to water usage and not to trash or sewer bills. Council president Chris Bishop pointed out the proposed increases were preliminary amounts.
Council originally voted on a 10 percent increase (and had even considered a 21-percent increase), but that was voted down 3-2. Tony Albensi, Teri Stiles and President Pro-Term Tom Benner voted no on the 10 percent increase while Michael Hamilton and Bishop voted yes.
Some council members said they voted no because they felt rates were too high and more research was needed.
‘I’m not comfortable raising it now,? said Albensi. ‘What it comes back we need to raise it only eight percent??
Added Stiles: ‘We operated for two years in the red. Why not wait another three months to study, discuss and come up with one rate instead of raising it twice??
She also said instead of the possible total 21-percent increase, they could find out that only 12 percent is needed.
Benner, who felt it was better to raise water rates immediately and that a 10-percent increase could deal with the debt, ultimately voted no on the 10-percent increase while voting for the five- percent increase. Benner said in an e-mail after the meeting that during a council recess conversation with Stiles, he realized a five percent increase would cover the deficit.
For Bishop and Hamilton, the yes vote was a message that the budget problem needs to be quickly resolved. Now.
‘It would be beneficial to raise the water portion of the bill now,? Bishop said. ‘If we need another five percent down the road, then we deal with it then. It is irresponsible to continue to operate in the red, especially with costs coming up. We should do an increase at this time.?
Hamilton felt that with the upcoming $2.45 million water treatment plant contract, it was imperative to do a rate increase to help offset costs.
The council further discussed the rate increase, with Stiles justifying her vote by saying that she felt a one-time rate increase of 15 percent would be better than a 10, then five percent increase for people who don’t attend the meetings and aren’t familiar with the details.
Bishop replied: ‘People entrust us to make right decisions, to study the facts and decide.?
With that, Stiles stood her ground and said she felt she made the right decision for the people who elected her, as far as taxpayers go. Finally, the council reached a compromise’a five percent water bill increase for more discussion to take place at the August 28 council meeting. The vote was 4-1 with Albensi dissenting.