An increase in wastewater rates could be coming later this year following discussions amongst Emporia City Commissioners Wednesday afternoon.
During their first regular study meeting of 2024, commissioners were presented with three potential options for an increase — 2.5, 5 and 7.5 percent — to help offset “rapidly declining” reserves in the city’s wastewater fund. City Treasurer Janet Harouff tells KVOE News the decrease is the result of the city’s bond payments on the wastewater treatment plant since 2019.
At this time, Harouff says staff are recommending the five percent increase for 2024 and 2025 which she says would help ease the dwindling reserves but not solve the problem entirely.
The wastewater fund has a projected ending balance of 8.34 percent, well below the city’s standard 20 percent reserve level. Commissioners chose to table the item to allow for more information to be gathered. Word on when commissioners will take up further discussion and consideration of the increase is pending.
Before the study meeting, the commission convened its annual business meeting where then-Mayor Susan Brinkman delivered the annual State of the City address. Brinkman noted 2023 was a year with various accomplishments and challenges and also took time to credit the work of city employees and the success of various community events.
Brinkman gave special attention to the numerous events honoring the Hispanic community within Emporia and did so in Spanish. When asked why she felt this was necessary, Brinkman stated that all residents of Emporia should always feel included and appreciated within their community.
As for main focuses in 2024, Brinkman says there were great strides made in housing development and infrastructure over the last 12 months, but there is still a great deal of work ahead.
In separate business, commissioners appointed Danny Giefer to serve in his fifth term as Mayor of Emporia and Erren Harter to serve his first term as Vice-Mayor. Commissioners also approved the surety bonds, the designation of financial institutions and the appointment of commissioners to various boards and committees.
During their regular action session, commissioners appointed a member to the Human Relations Commission and approved a better than $292,000 bid from Evergreen Construction for a remodel of the Emporia Police Department. Additional study items included amendments to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program map and a review of the city’s legislative statement for the 2024 calendar year.
The Emporia City Commission will next convene on Wednesday, January 17 at 11 am inside of the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
