ONTARIO, Ohio – The Ontario City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to raise sewer rates for city residents Thursday during its regular meeting.
In accordance with the amendment, sewer rates will increase 15 percent in the city’s next billing cycle and another 15 percent at the start of 2016.
That rate reflects contract negotiations between the cities of Ontario and Mansfield earlier this year.
“A 15 and a 15 – a total of 30 percent that we have to pay them, which means we had to raise the rates here to cover the raise down there,” Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson said.
Ontario’s sewage is processed by Mansfield’s treatment plant, but the current rates reflected a contract that expired in 2006.
The new contract was approved and finalized by Ontario council members during their July 2 meeting. Mansfield City Council had improved the contract June 2.
“We haven’t raised rates in close to 10 years,” Hutchinson said.
According to the legislation, the sanitary sewer charge for each residential building or school building will be $3.65 per 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons of water, while other connections will be $4.45 at the same specifications.
For the second-part of the increase, the rate will move to $4.20 and $5.11, respectively.
In reference to the contract between the two cities, Ontario has an option to opt-out after the first five years, permitted it gives a one-year notice, giving the city an opportunity to build its own treatment plant in the future if it so chooses.
Sidewalks and building on campus
Also during the meeting, Ontario Safety-Service Director Jeffrey Wilson announced that the sidewalks on Lexington-Springmill Road were finished and being used.
“I’ve seen people on almost every segment of that sidewalk,” Wilson said.
At-large Councilman Larry Arnold agreed.
“I’ve driven by no less than three of four times and seen no less than a dozen people,” he said. “It’s almost like ‘build it and they will come’ type of scenario.”
Third Ward Councilman Mark Weidemyre said the sidewalks likely will be used more going forward because more private housing complexes will be built for students of North Central State College and The Ohio State University Mansfield.
“They’re going to build two more housing units out there,” Weidemyre said.
He added that the announcement for the complexes was made during a meeting at the university campus on Thursday.
“They’re full, they’re completely full out at Buckeye Village, so they’re going to move to the next phase,” he said.
No other details were readily available, but Weidemyre said the university likely will make an official announcement Friday.
Hutchinson also issued a proclamation during the meeting to make September 2015 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Ontario.
“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in men,” he said.
Council will meet again at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 for its regular meeting.
