Iolans will pay more for water and wastewater treatment starting Jan. 1. THE CITY will look to see if it can assist with issues related to water drainage and sewer line repairs to aid renovations for a doughnut shop slated to open soon.
City Council members approved, 6-0, a 5 percent rate hike to help sustain utility reserves for both funds.
The average monthly residential water bill will increase about $2, from just under $40 to $42 a month, according to figures provided by City Administrator Carl Slaugh.
Meanwhile, residential sewer charges will increase from an average of $15.67 to about $16.45.
Each water customer will pay a $20.44 meter charge each month, plus $3.80 for each unit of water. Wholesale customers will pay either $3.69 or $3.21 for each unit of water.
Basic monthly sewer service charges will go to $6.83 with $2.15 for each 100 cubic feet of water used on average over three winter months. Commercial and industrial sewer users will see their base fees increase from $8.13 to $8.54, with water usage rates increasing to $2.87, from $2.68.
Slaugh provided council members with a chart from the United States Department of Agriculture showing what other communities across the state charge for sewer and water.
Iola’s rates remain competitive with most, Slaugh noted, noting some communities have water rates similar to Iola’s, but without a new treatment facility, such as Iola’s.
A benefit for the city is Iola successfully treats its wastewater with sewage lagoons, and has not had to build a mechanical treatment plant, which would cause sewer rates to skyrocket, Slaugh said.
Slaugh said he hopes to see the rate hike bring in about $100,000 annually into the water fund, “to keep it from going in the hole like it did this year.”
Council members Jon Wells and Sandy Zornes and Mayor Joel Wicoff were absent.
David Greathouse of Greathouse Construction visited Monday with Iola City Council members about work ongoing with what will become Daylight Donuts at 1319 East St.
Greathouse spoke on behalf of store owners Sam and Many Chit of Fort Scott.
A collapsed sewer line south of the building has delayed the timetable for Daylight Donuts to open, Greathouse said.
The sewer line isn’t on the doughnut shop’s property, Greathouse explained, but it needs to be fixed before the shop can open.
The issue lies farther to the south, where the sewer line crosses a concrete aqueduct built several years prior when the land was part of the Missouri Pacific Railway, Greathouse said.
A concrete panel in the canal has collapsed, exposing a portion of the sewer line, which also is broken, Greathouse said.
He estimated cost to repair the sewer line at about $2,500.
The rail corridor has long since been abandoned, Slaugh said. Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock said the property is owned by somebody in California.
Meanwhile, Greathouse said water drainage from U.S. 54 onto nearby Tennessee Street is inadequate, which causes water to pool on the east side of the property.
Greathouse said a drainage system should be installed with the property owners footing the bill.
“The Chits have already incurred several unexpected and very costly expenses,” Greathouse said, such as paying for soil testing to ensure the property meets standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Chits also are working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to be in compliance with an underground tank removal. Previous KDHE records were inaccurate and conflicting, Greathouse said.
“All of these expenses were issues that existed with the property before it was purchased, but not required by any of these organizes to be addressed by previous owners,” Greathouse said. “It was not until after the Chits purchased the property and wanted to make the improvements that these issues were brought up.”
Council members acknowledged Greathouse’s concern, and expressed a willingness to work with the couple.
“I would think the city could do this repair cheaper than what’s being proposed,” Councilman Steve French said. “Although the city didn’t cause this, we do have a business coming to town. I’d like to see us assist small “ma and pas” as much as we’ve assisted big shots. They’ve done a good job in cleaning up a blighted area.”
“They’ve been great to work for,” Greathouse concurred. “They’ll be a welcome addition to the community.”
Greathouse said the Chits hope to have the doughnut shop open by Jan. 1.
Iola water rates to increase by Jan. 1
