Shelby City Council amends water-rate structure

SHELBY — Shelby City Council amended legislation addressing water-rate structure, street paving, sidewalk repairs and housing assistance programs at Monday night’s meeting.

Water rate ordinance final vote passes

Council read for the third time and voted on an ordinance amending the city’s water-rate structure.

The proposed changes adjust multiple components of the municipal water system, including application fees, customer charges and usage rates.

Key proposed changes include:

Application fee: $10 for new or transferred accounts.
Residential customers (1-inch or smaller meters): $3.75 monthly for the Water Asset Management Fund and $6 customer charge.
Commercial customers (1-inch or smaller meters): $4.75 for the Water Asset Management Fund and $8.50 customer charge.
Larger commercial and industrial meters: $6.75 per meter for the Water Asset Management Fund and $18 monthly customer charge.
Elderly or disabled customers: Reduced rates of $1.75 for the Water Asset Management Fund and $3.50 customer charge per month.
Water shutoff fees for violations: $50 during business hours, $125 after hours.

The ordinance also modifies fees related to water shutoffs for violations, increasing charges to $50 during normal business hours and $125 after hours.

Sidewalk project opening bids

Council also discussed a resolution allowing the mayor, acting as director of public service, to seek bids and enter into a contract for a citywide sidewalk repair program.

The program would cover the removal, replacement or repair of existing sidewalks on city rights-of-way, using funds already set aside for that purpose. New sidewalks are not included.

The proposal focuses on residential properties, along with rental properties in which the owner resides and includes a cost-sharing structure based on household income. The household size also plays a factor in cost.

Lower-income homeowners could have up to 100 percent of the cost covered by the city, while higher-income households would pay a larger share, up to 50 percent.

Property owners must apply, provide proof of income and be current on city income taxes and property taxes to qualify.

Work would follow city and state construction standards, and homeowners would pay their portion to the Director of Finance and Public Record, who shall deposit it to the Sidewalk Fund.

Priority may be given to property owners who have already been ordered to fix their sidewalks.

Council also considered a resolution authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the 2026 paving program.

2026 Paving Program and CHIP Program

The meeting agenda states various residential streets need resurfacing and identifies the project as necessary for public safety and infrastructure upkeep.

The streets included are Vernon Road (from West Main Street to Corp. limit), Myrtle Drive (from Morningside Drive to Mickey Road) and Norman Drive (from Myrtle Drive to Myrtle Drive).

Project Coordinator Joe Gies said the administration chose to focus on only three roads to save money for the Mickey Road project and to meet upcoming payments on state routes.

“It’s going to take a lot of money to do all those so that’s why we paired it down, so we can have money for the future,” Gies said.

During his report, Gies also noted multiple upcoming road closures. South Gamble Street (the bridge toward Stiving Road) will be closed May 2, for 21 days. He said the department will be redoing the bridge deck.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will provide a detour map.

Gies also noted Broadway Street closed starting Monday for one week.

“A few weeks ago they were out and had Gamble and Smiley tore up,” he added. “They’re replacing all the rail through town and they have a set up where they are setting them down next to the old rails right now, then when they go in and do it they will take the olds ones out and slide the new ones in.

“That will be happening in June.”

Another resolution would authorize the city to partner with the Richland County Commissioners on the 2026 Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) program if the state awards funding.

Under the proposal, Shelby would serve as the grant recipient, with the county acting as a partner. The program is designed to support housing improvements and preservation efforts across the county, excluding Mansfield.

Other items addressed

Appointing Councilman Charles Roub Jr. to the Richland County 9-1-1 Review Committee. The committee must consist of six voting members and they will not receive compensation.

Council also discussed accepting a $5,000 civic grant from Nordic Energy, to deposit into the General Fund, and distribute the full amount to The Sharing Fund to help Shelby utility customers in financial need pay their municipal utility bills.