GENTRY — In a brief meeting on Oct. 3, Gentry's city council passed a resolution keeping the 2016 millage rates for the city unchanged and heard reports and updates.
With the passage of a resolution, Gentry's millage rates will remain unchanged for 2016, with 5 mills for the general fund, 0.3 mills for the fireman's pension fund and 0.7 mills for voluntary park maintenance.
Kevin Johnston, mayor of Gentry, updated the council on the trails project in the Flint Creek Nature area. At the time of the meeting, the preparatory work for paving the trails was complete and paving was to begin. Now, the paving is done and the city is finishing up the project.
He also informed the council of work to jack up the McGaugh House on N. Rust so that necessary plumbing, electrical and foundation work could be completed. He told the council it could expect to see the restoration project progress more quickly now that this initial work was done.
Also presented to the council for review before taking up the matter at its November meeting was a proposed ordinance adjusting the water and sewer rates for Gentry water and sewer customers. A second public hearing on the sewer rate increase is set for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7. The council will take up the proposed ordinance at its regular meeting following the public hearing.
The rate hike is a part of a scheduled annual increase to help the city keep up with rising costs to the city to provide the water and sewer service.
If adopted the base water rate for residential customers within the city would increase from $12.92 inside the city and $30.99 outside the city to $13.31 and $31.92, respectively. Base sewer rates would rise from $7.36 inside the city and $12.20 outside the city to $7.58 and $12.57, respectively. The above figures are for those water customers using 1,000 gallons or less of water per month. The rate schedule and its categories is based on meter size and how many thousand gallons of water are used each month.
General News on 10/12/2016