The Utility Safety and Environment Committee on Oct. 8 advanced amendments to Elyria Codified Ordinance Chapter 9.37, which updates sewer charges and related rules, including an increase in industrial monitoring charges and the addition of septic‑dumping fees to the sewer use ordinance.

Shane Stewart, wastewater superintendent, said the amendment raises the industrial monitoring charge from 25¢ per 100 cubic feet to 50¢ per 100 cubic feet to better recover sampling and reporting costs. "This is the charge that covers the monitoring portion... and it hasn't been updated since 1992," Stewart said. He added staff calculated a higher possible rate but recommended a smaller, incremental adjustment and said staff will consider alternative billing approaches tied to permits.

The ordinance also incorporates previously adopted septic tank dumping fees into the sewer use chapter and aligns delinquency timelines between water and sewer rules to make enforcement consistent. Stewart said the city will review monitoring charges annually with the utilities director and pretreatment supervisor to avoid large, infrequent increases.

The committee read the report, decided no emergency clause was required, and approved the ordinance change; the motion was moved by Mr. Oswald and seconded by Mr. Armstrong.