By Bruce Rolfe
After discussing the need to raise water rates to match increased costs in the water system, the Climax Village Council arrived at a figure at its regular meeting May 5 to consider at the May 19 meeting.
The Village has experienced an increase of over 35 percent in Water Power rates to operate the water wells and water system from the Michigan Public Service Commission over a four year period.
The Council arrived at a 16 percent increase on the water usage rate and a 16 percent increase on the readiness to serve (administration charge) at the April 21 meeting, however some felt the overall increase between the two may bring concern to village residents and an adjustment was made May 5.
After a motion to table the proposed new rates until the next meeting died with a 3-3 vote (Denise Pyle was absent), the Council unanimously approved a new figure to consider.
The Council will consider a new readiness to serve charge of $28.00 per quarter and a new water usage rate of $4.50 per thousand gallons of water with a resolution vote May 19.
The current usage rate is $3.80 per thousand gallons and the readiness to serve charge is $25.00 per quarter.
The Council arrived at a figure of $4.40 per thousand gallons and $29.00 per quarter at the April 21 meeting to consider before unanimously approving the new rates May 5.
Besides an increase in water power rates and Consumers Energy rates, Department of Public Works Manager T.J. Gibson said water usage is down approximately 20,000-40,000 gallons a day compared to previous years.
It was noted just about everything related to the water system has increased, including water testing rates, which have nearly doubled.
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the Village has not raised water rates since 2021. He adds the proposed new water rates will still be low compared to other municipalities in the area.
The proposed water rates would take effect in July, meaning village residents would see the increase with the October water bills.
In other items covered at the May 5 meeting:
• Department of Public Works Manager T.J. Gibson said pumpage reports and water samples for the month of May have been completed.
• DPW employee Lucas Piper employee took a water certification test May 6.
• The Community Wide Garage sale will be held the last Saturday of June (June 27).
• Streets/Sidewalks/Census Chairperson Janet Sutherland said sidewalk damage from a tree that fell on sidewalks from the wind storm was turned into the Village’s insurance carrier but she learned there is no coverage for those repairs in the Village’s policy.
• Ordinance/Zoning/Planning and Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said a case, with multiple concerns, was turned over to SafeBuilt. The ordinance and zoning enforcement company is planning an inspection.
• Because the Village experienced large unexpected expense removing trees following the April 27 storm, obtaining tree removal estimates for other trees in the Village that were going to be considered to remove, will be put on hold.
DPW Manager T.J. Gibson said approximately $5,000 will come out of the road budget and approximately $5,000 will be split between the cemetery budget and water budget. He adds head stone and foundation damage is still being evaluated for submitting an insurance claim.
After discussing the need to raise water rates to match increased costs in the water system, the Climax Village Council arrived at a figure at its regular meeting May 5 to consider at the May 19 meeting.
The Village has experienced an increase of over 35 percent in Water Power rates to operate the water wells and water system from the Michigan Public Service Commission over a four year period.
The Council arrived at a 16 percent increase on the water usage rate and a 16 percent increase on the readiness to serve (administration charge) at the April 21 meeting, however some felt the overall increase between the two may bring concern to village residents and an adjustment was made May 5.
After a motion to table the proposed new rates until the next meeting died with a 3-3 vote (Denise Pyle was absent), the Council unanimously approved a new figure to consider.
The Council will consider a new readiness to serve charge of $28.00 per quarter and a new water usage rate of $4.50 per thousand gallons of water with a resolution vote May 19.
The current usage rate is $3.80 per thousand gallons and the readiness to serve charge is $25.00 per quarter.
The Council arrived at a figure of $4.40 per thousand gallons and $29.00 per quarter at the April 21 meeting to consider before unanimously approving the new rates May 5.
Besides an increase in water power rates and Consumers Energy rates, Department of Public Works Manager T.J. Gibson said water usage is down approximately 20,000-40,000 gallons a day compared to previous years.
It was noted just about everything related to the water system has increased, including water testing rates, which have nearly doubled.
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the Village has not raised water rates since 2021. He adds the proposed new water rates will still be low compared to other municipalities in the area.
The proposed water rates would take effect in July, meaning village residents would see the increase with the October water bills.
In other items covered at the May 5 meeting:
• Department of Public Works Manager T.J. Gibson said pumpage reports and water samples for the month of May have been completed.
• DPW employee Lucas Piper employee took a water certification test May 6.
• The Community Wide Garage sale will be held the last Saturday of June (June 27).
• Streets/Sidewalks/Census Chairperson Janet Sutherland said sidewalk damage from a tree that fell on sidewalks from the wind storm was turned into the Village’s insurance carrier but she learned there is no coverage for those repairs in the Village’s policy.
• Ordinance/Zoning/Planning and Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said a case, with multiple concerns, was turned over to SafeBuilt. The ordinance and zoning enforcement company is planning an inspection.
• Because the Village experienced large unexpected expense removing trees following the April 27 storm, obtaining tree removal estimates for other trees in the Village that were going to be considered to remove, will be put on hold.
DPW Manager T.J. Gibson said approximately $5,000 will come out of the road budget and approximately $5,000 will be split between the cemetery budget and water budget. He adds head stone and foundation damage is still being evaluated for submitting an insurance claim.
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