SHELBY – Changes are coming in Shelby, and not just with several tax renewals on the ballot for November.
City Council met Monday evening to discuss several pieces of new legislation, including authorizing a partnership with Arcadis Inc. U.S. – a sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy firm – for lead pipe repairs, as well as advancing several proposed utility changes.
“There’s been a lot of work in the last several years getting to this point right here,” said Deputy Public Service Director and Municipal Utilities Director John Ensman. “The project by law would start next November, so we’re trying to get ahead of this … there’s a timeline in front of us which we need to meet.”
The proposed timeline would give Shelby 10 years from November, 2027, to finish the project.
“We’re going to put this on the accelerated program,” Ensman said. “There is principal forgiveness that’s out there, that we do qualify for, (that would) squeeze us down into that time frame.”
Utility hikes were another focal point during the Street Committee report. Councilman Steve McLaughlin said the electric fund has been losing about $200,000 annually and stood at $4.1 million before encumbrances, below the $4.5 million balance identified in the city’s resolution.
“A rate adjustment is needed,” McLaughlin said. “Legislation has been written to confirm the proposed adjustments to collect approximately $200,000 a year.”
Proposed electric changes include adjustments to the customer charge and distribution rates, along with raising security deposits from $300 to $400.
“Next up is vendor charge for electric service for food trucks in the Blackwood Commons area,” McLaughlin said. “As an example, the proposed measure charges for electric service: 120-volt electric service is $10 per calendar day, and 240-volt service is $15 per calendar day.”
“I’m not a fan of rate increases,” Councilman Charles Raub said. “We did several years ago, if everybody remembers, reduced the electric fund by a significant amount by passing some savings on to customers, and here we are now trying to recoup what we need back.”
Council also gave the final reading to an ordinance setting standards and laws for e-bikes and personal conveyance devices in Shelby, among other things.
Shelby City Council will meet next Nov. 2 at the Shelby Justice Center, located at 29 Mack Ave., at 7 p.m. The meeting is the day before Ohio elections take place, with two tax renewals on the ballot for Shelby.
“These are renewals at the current rates for the provision of funding for our park system and also our health department,” Financial Director Brian Crum said.
“Our park system is one of the finest in the county. These funds generate revenue for the upkeep of our parks, and our fully accredited local health department offers significant services for our city.”
