An increase in wastewater fees is coming for Emporia residents at the start of next month.
During their regular action meeting Wednesday morning, city commissioners approved a 7.14 percent – approximately $3 – rate increase for average households utilizing 5,000 gallons of water per month. The increase comes as the city’s wastewater reserves have been “depleted” in recent years to cover bond payments for the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Commissioners approved the increase 4-1 with commissioner Susan Brinkman offering the lone no vote saying her main concern with the increase is that she feels the commission did not spend an adequate amount of time looking at alternate solutions before taking action Wednesday.
During Wednesday’s discussions, Brinkman inquired if it were possible to move reserve dollars from another enterprise fund, solid waste, to the wastewater fund to help eliminate the need for the rate increase. City Treasurer Janet Harouff says pulling reserves from other funds would not eliminate the need for an increase, but would rather shift the need elsewhere.
The rate increase will go into effect March 1. No additional increases are planned at this time, however, Harouff says discussions on future increases will be dependent on if the current increase sees reserves “bounce back.”
In other action, Wednesday commissioners approved the appointment of Lilian Lingenfelter and Stan Fowler to the Emporia Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals for a term of three years each. An ordinance to rezone property at 612 East 7th Avenue from single-family detached to single-family attached and awarded the city’s CCLIP project on US Highway 50 from Graphic Arts Road to Prairie Street to Killough Construction for $400,000 also gained approval.
During the commission’s regular study session commissioners approved the establishment of the city’s new Civic Leadership Institute program proposed by Director of Special Projects Tayler Wash. The program will be open to any Emporia resident above the age of 18
According to Wash, the program is meant to accomplish six goals:
*Increase civic engagement
*Educate citizens about various aspects of local government
*Help citizens understand how decisions are made and resources are allocated
*Empower residents by providing knowledge
*Facilitate positive interactions between government officials and residents
*Develop a dedicated group of informed citizens to contribute to the advancement of the community.
Wash says educating the local community on government matters is and should be a responsibility of local leadership, hence the program’s establishment.
Wash says the program will be open to 10-15 residents and will be a once-a-year program. The cost of the program is not to exceed $2,000.
An exact launch date is pending, however, Wash is hopeful applications will be available via the city’s website come Spring.
In other study business commissioners discussed the year-end financial report, the burning of leaves in the city limits, a review of the transfer of Quaker Park to the Emporia Land Bank, a neighborhood revitalization area map update, an ordinance revising city code on weed and grass landscaping and the KDHE MS4 NPDES permits. The Emporia City Commission will reconvene for its regular action and study meetings at 11 am Wednesday, March 6 inside of the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
