SHILOH — Shiloh Village Council moved one step closer Tuesday evening to raising water rates already among the highest in the state.
An ordinance that would increase the village’s base water rates by 3 percent was read for a second time and is set to be voted on July 25.
The proposed increase is part of the village’s proposed $3 million, three-phase water project, which includes water meter installations for all Shiloh customers; fire hydrant and valve replacements; and dismantling the old water tower and replacing the Main Street water line.
Mayor Charles Reeder said the increase in water rates will help pay for the project and demonstrate to outside funders the village is serious in its intentions.
“They wanted to know that these people here are 100 percent committed to the project, otherwise it wasn’t going to fly,” Reeder said. “There’s been a lot of work done, it would’ve been foolish to say no.”
On Jan. 19, Richland County Commissioners committed to give the project $500,000 from its share of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Another $499,000 will be contributed via an Ohio Public Work Commission award.
Reeder said the village is awaiting word late this month regarding approval of the Ohio Builds grant application the village filed.
If not approved for the Ohio Builds grant, Reeder said the village is all set with plans to apply for a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would package the rest of the project’s needed funds.
The WSLRA loan would provide the village with funding for the planning, design and construction of their water project. It would need to be repaid to the Ohio EPA over a decided loan term period.
Loan documents have been signed by village officials to get the application submitted before July 15. Approval of the documents can take up to 60 days.
While awaiting the status of the Ohio Builds grant, this will allow the village to move forward with the project, whichever route they must take.
While the village is in full support of the ordinance and overall project, Reeder said he wants community members to know the increase in rates is not something that comes without anguish.
“What really hurts is there are people living from paycheck to paycheck in this village, trying to pay utility bills that just keep going up and up,” Reeder said.
Although village residents currently pay flat rates, out of 403 sewer and water using entities in the state of Ohio, Shiloh ranks 19th highest in sewer and 86th highest in water rates.
Reeder prased county commissioners for their assistance in the project’s efforts and funding.
“God bless them all, they really helped Shiloh,” Reeder said. “Without them we couldn’t get this done.”
Once known whether the village will receive funds from the Ohio Builds grant, or need to move forward with a loan from the Ohio EPA, the next step will be to advertise for bids in August of 2023.
Once all bids are submitted they would be reviewed in September, with a maximum timeline of 60 days to award the project in November.
Current discussion regarding the project schedule has all three phases completed by November of 2024.
