02102016 - News Article - Proposed Portage rate increases move past first reading - News Article

Proposed Portage rate increases move past first reading
Joyce Russell joyce.russell@nwi.com, (219) 762-1397, ext. 2222
Feb 10, 2016
NWI Times
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/proposed-portage-rate-increases-move-past-first-reading/article_7acc4f2d-cb6e-5a60-8f94-eda4eada00dd.html

PORTAGE — The Utility Services Board and City Council both moved forward proposed rate increases in sanitary sewer and trash collection fees Wednesday.

In a joint meeting, the Utility Services Board approved a favorable recommendation to raise rates by $9 per month on sanitary sewer fees to the council. The rate increase would support a nearly $10 million bond issue.

The City Council then held first readings of both the $9 sanitary sewer increase and a $6 monthly increase in trash fees. The council will hold a public hearing on the rate increases at its March 1 meeting and consider passage of both items.

Together, the increases would move a homeowners monthly trash/sewer/stormwater bill from $47 to $62 per month. Each also has an annual increase built in, totaling $1 per month per year.

Director of Administration Joe Calhoun gave a nearly 90-minute presentation to the approximate dozen residents who attended the meeting.

Calhoun outlined the proposed projects, ranging from improvements at the sanitary sewer plant to moving a ditch along Airport Road, improvements to Central Avenue from Hamstrom Road to Scott Street, improvements to City Hall and drainage projects throughout the city.

He also outlined the city’s rationale for the proposed rate increases.

“Some of us just don’t have the money,” said resident Jeff Brooks.

A few other residents asked questions, but didn’t object to the proposed projects or rate increases.

Emerito Beltran, president of Portage Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 145, read a letter of support for the projects, saying the plans would support repair and modernization of infrastructure in the city, improve traffic and remove hazards.

A letter from Firefighters Local 3151 President Mark Vittetoe was also read in support of the projects.

“We have a city that is aging. With the trash, the city is losing money. It’s not easy for anybody to sit up here and raise rates. It has to (do) with a lot more than salaries, it’s the aging city and a city we haven’t done a lot with over the years,” said City Council President Mark Oprisko, also a member of the Utility Services Board.

“Property tax caps have strangled us. You think that’s all covered in your taxes and it’s not,” added Councilman John Cannon.