Marble Hill water, sewer rates on agenda Monday for board of aldermen

By Clint E. Lacy

Marble Hill wants to raise water rates to $15 a month from $12.60 for up to 2,500 gallons used and to 37 cents from 25 cents for every additional 100 gallons used.

Last August I posted a blog saying that the city was planning on doubling the water rates. The blog said the board of aldermen had received a rate study for water and wastewater to determine what needed to be charged in order for the respective departments to maintain a steady balance in their accounts. Over the years the water and wastewater ledgers have been decreasing, the blog said, and the city needs to make certain these accounts have the proper funding. The study recommended that the base water fee for up to 2,500 gallons be raised to $16.75 from $9.18. The study also recommended that the base wastewater fee for up to 2,500 gallons be raised $18.50 from $9.09.

If the city gets the $15 water rate it is seeking, it will be just $1.75 short of the goal set last year. What do you think this means for residents next year at this time? I predict it will go up another $1.75 for up to 2,500 gallons.

Incidentally, the city of Marble Hill doubled sewer rates last year, and what is the result? The city has an $18.50 monthly sewer fee, and it wants to increase it to $19.75.

Where does this stop? When do we stop paying increased water and sewer rates without seeing significant progress?

The June 17 edition of the Banner Press covered the water-sewage fee increase debate on Page 1: The story, "Water, sewer and trash rates to go up," quoted me as saying: "You know I will be against a water increase."

The Banner Press continued:

"Lacy said, as he has said before, that he wants the city to explore the possibility of applying for grants to pay for water and sewer repairs and maintenance. [Alderman Tim] McCain reminded him that before grants are considered, the city would have to prove that it is billing its customers adequately. Lacy countered that last year the city raised rates but did not apply for any grant money."

City administrator Gary Shrum, according to the Banner Press, said: "Since the last raise we replaced $27,000 worth of aerator motors we have to have -- counting electric lines, motors and cables -- and spent $5,000 on a control panel pump." The city also has had problems with the well after lightening struck the pump, which should be covered by insurance. Shrum said the city spent nearly $15,000 on a situation at Glen Street and has set aside money to bring back the elevated tower into service. "All that takes money," he said.

Yes, it does take money, but I still contend the city has not applied for grants to replace the most deteriorated water and sewer lines. At the June 12 meeting, the board authorized the purchase of a four-wheel-drive backhoe for $26,000. Why? It is because the old one is worn out. Why is the old one worn out? Because of the wear and tear of having to fix dilapidated water and sewer lines.

In addition, according to my notes from the June 12 meeting, Shrum said the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is concerned about inflow and infiltration of the city's sewer system. City clerk Carla Watt informed me during the meeting that several years ago the DNR conducted smoke tests on the city's sewer system in the Lutesville side and that during this test so much smoke came from the sewers that the DNR stopped the test.

Folks, this problem is only going to get worst unless we start replacing lines. It is my concern that the poor and the elderly cannot afford more increases in water and sewage rates. All resources to help get government funding and help keep rates low must be exhausted before discussing raising rates.

On Feb. 4 I received an e-mail from U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill's office stating: "Today, U.S. senators Claire McCaskill and Kit Bond from Missouri and Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall from New Mexico filed an amendment to the economic recovery package that will make it easier for states to administer the funds allocated to the State Revolving Funds. The amendment would provide the states with the flexibility to choose to provide grants to municipalities for their water, wastewater or drinking water projects."

I forwarded this e-mail to the mayor, who in turn forwarded it to Shrum. To my knowledge it was not acted upon.

I received another letter from McCaskill's office June 5 saying a free grant-writing seminar was going to take place at Southeast Missouri State University on June 27. Shrum agreed to attend.

The nation, the state and Marble Hill are all suffering from a severe economic downturn. Now is not the time for further rate increases. I humbly ask Mayor Russell Masterson and my fellow aldermen to reconsider once again raising rates.

I ask that any and all Marble Hill residents who are able to attend our next board meeting to do so. It will be 6 p.m. Monday at city hall. It is important for as many people as possible to attend. Call city hall (573-238-3622) and have your name added to the agenda.

Clint E. Lacy is the Ward I alderman in Marble Hill, Mo.