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For the first time in more than four years, Benton residents will see an increase in their water and sewer rates.
The Benton City Council voted 5-0 Monday night to raise the rates starting with bills due in September.
"This is not something we wanted to do — it's something we needed to do," Public Property Commissioner Ronnie Baumgarte said. "Over the next six years, we are going to have to be making some major infrastructure improvements, starting with work on the sewer line in November."
Finance Commissioner Charles Webster said the city last raised water and sewer rates in January 2006.
"We've had at least two increases from the Rend Lake Conservancy District in that time," Webster said.
For property located inside corporate limits, the minimum water rate per month will be $11.95 for 2,000 gallons per month. That is an increase from the previous minimum charge of $10.85 per month.
For the next 2,000 gallons per month, residents will be charged $6.15 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 11,000 gallons, $5.85 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 25,000 gallons, $5.05 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 35,000 gallons, $4.90 per 1,000 gallons; and over 75,000 gallons, $4.40 per 1,000 gallons.
Water rates for property located outside the corporate limits include a $15.60 minimum charge (up from $14.20) for the first 2,000 gallons per month. For the next 2,000 gallons per month, residents will be charged $8.00 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 11,000 gallons, $7.60 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 25,000 gallons, $6.65 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 35,000 gallons, $6.10 per 1,000 gallons; and over 75,000 gallons, $5.30 per 1,000 gallons.
For multi-unit buildings, residential (including mobile homes), businesses or both with more than one unit on the water meter, inside the corporate limits, there will be a $12.10 minimum charge for the first 2,000 gallons per month. For the next 8,000 gallons per month, residents will be charged $6.15 per 1,000 gallons, and for over 11,000 gallons, $5.85 per 1,000 gallons.
Outside corporate limits rates include a $15.60 minimum charge for the first 2,000 gallons per month; for the next 8,000 gallons, $8.05 per 1,000 gallons; and for more than 11,000 gallons, $7.70 per 1,000 gallons.
Rates for sewer service include a $12.05 minimum charge for the first 2,000 gallons per month; for the next 13,000 gallons, $6.05 per 1,000 gallons; and over 15,000 gallons, $3.50 per 1,000 gallons. Those rates also apply to multi-unit buildings.
In other action, the council voted 5-0 to approve a no-parking ordinance on East Webster Street, from South Main to South Commercial.
Streets and Improvements Commissioner Don Wyant said the move was "mainly for safety reasons."
"We want to try to keep the intersection (of East Webster and South Main streets) open as much as possible," Wyant said.
For the first time in more than four years, Benton residents will see an increase in their water and sewer rates.
The Benton City Council voted 5-0 Monday night to raise the rates starting with bills due in September.
"This is not something we wanted to do — it's something we needed to do," Public Property Commissioner Ronnie Baumgarte said. "Over the next six years, we are going to have to be making some major infrastructure improvements, starting with work on the sewer line in November."
Finance Commissioner Charles Webster said the city last raised water and sewer rates in January 2006.
"We've had at least two increases from the Rend Lake Conservancy District in that time," Webster said.
For property located inside corporate limits, the minimum water rate per month will be $11.95 for 2,000 gallons per month. That is an increase from the previous minimum charge of $10.85 per month.
For the next 2,000 gallons per month, residents will be charged $6.15 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 11,000 gallons, $5.85 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 25,000 gallons, $5.05 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 35,000 gallons, $4.90 per 1,000 gallons; and over 75,000 gallons, $4.40 per 1,000 gallons.
Water rates for property located outside the corporate limits include a $15.60 minimum charge (up from $14.20) for the first 2,000 gallons per month. For the next 2,000 gallons per month, residents will be charged $8.00 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 11,000 gallons, $7.60 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 25,000 gallons, $6.65 per 1,000 gallons; for the next 35,000 gallons, $6.10 per 1,000 gallons; and over 75,000 gallons, $5.30 per 1,000 gallons.
For multi-unit buildings, residential (including mobile homes), businesses or both with more than one unit on the water meter, inside the corporate limits, there will be a $12.10 minimum charge for the first 2,000 gallons per month. For the next 8,000 gallons per month, residents will be charged $6.15 per 1,000 gallons, and for over 11,000 gallons, $5.85 per 1,000 gallons.
Outside corporate limits rates include a $15.60 minimum charge for the first 2,000 gallons per month; for the next 8,000 gallons, $8.05 per 1,000 gallons; and for more than 11,000 gallons, $7.70 per 1,000 gallons.
Rates for sewer service include a $12.05 minimum charge for the first 2,000 gallons per month; for the next 13,000 gallons, $6.05 per 1,000 gallons; and over 15,000 gallons, $3.50 per 1,000 gallons. Those rates also apply to multi-unit buildings.
In other action, the council voted 5-0 to approve a no-parking ordinance on East Webster Street, from South Main to South Commercial.
Streets and Improvements Commissioner Don Wyant said the move was "mainly for safety reasons."
"We want to try to keep the intersection (of East Webster and South Main streets) open as much as possible," Wyant said.
Mayor Gary Kraft said that law enforcement officials will "show some leniency during weddings and funerals" at the First Christian Church, located at 320 S. Main.
Councilmen also unanimously approved paying D&S Tree Service in West Frankfort $1,300 for the removal of six trees in the city.
"They're in wires and stuff — I can't touch 'em," Wyant said of the trees, which will be taken to the dump and burned.
Wyant also noted that oil-and-chipping of city streets will begin after the Fourth of July holiday.
The council also gave Public Health and Safety Commissioner Dennis Miller authorization to research the possibility of creating a Director of Public Safety position for the city.
The director would oversee the police and fire departments, Miller said, and report to the commissioner.
