A little bit more study is needed before Iola acts on its earlier decision to raise water rates, City Council members decided Monday.
At issue is how much to increase water rates, while simultaneously decreasing its electric rates so that local customers do not pay any more on their monthly utility bills.
“I would appeal to you to reconsider your motion,” City Administrator Carl Slaugh said, saying that cutting electric rates would adversely impact the health of the electric reserve fund.
The council, at its Sept. 12 meeting, voted 4-4 for the water rate hike and electric rate reduction. Mayor Bill Shirley cast the tie-breaking vote.
Now, the council will await a spreadsheet showing exact fund levels in both accounts before deciding what percentages the respective rates will change.
The vote to table the discussion passed 6-2, council members Don Becker and Joel Wicoff opposed.
COUNCIL MEMBERS approved requests from the Farm-City Days Committee to close off a two-block â¨portion of Jackson Avenue Oct. 11-15 for the annual festival in downtown Iola. A one-block portion of Washington â¨Avenue also will be closed the evening of Oct. 13 for Family Fun Night activities, as well as a portion of West Street on Oct. 15 for the annual car show.
The city also will assist in other ways, such as handling street closures for the Oct. 15 parade and setting up bleachers.
COUNCIL MEMBERS hired James Boeken in the solid waste department and approved annual or six-month evaluations for seven other employees and subsequent pay raises ranging from 2 to 3.5 percent.
