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Council approves multiple water and sewer assessments; officials cite infrastructure, EPA mandates and cash pressures
Summary
Council passed several resolutions to collect delinquent utility accounts and final assessments for private water and sewer service replacements, approved a wastewater plant project for aeration improvements and heard discussion of water quality, meter upgrades and EPA-driven sewer work.
Elyria City Council on Sept. 2 approved a package of measures and heard multiple updates tied to the city's water and wastewater systems, including resolutions to certify delinquent accounts and private-service assessments to the county auditor and an ordinance authorizing bids for wastewater plant improvements.
Council approved Resolution 2025-35, authorizing collection of delinquent inactive utility accounts; Resolution 2025-36, approving a list for collection of final assessments for replacement of private water service lines; Resolution 2025-37, approving a list for collection of final assessments for replacement of private sewer service lines; and Resolution 2025-38, certifying 2024 delinquent storm-water fees. Each resolution was passed on first reading under suspension and will be certified to the Lorain County auditor for collection.
Council also passed Ordinance 2025-130 authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for activated-sludge aeration tank improvements at the wastewater pollution control plant; the ordinance was approved on first reading under suspension.
Finance Director Pulaski reported the general fund cash balance fell by $1,700,000 through August, from $15,300,000 at the start of 2025 to $13,600,000, and noted income tax receipts were up 7.5 percent through August compared with the same period last year. “As a result, cash in the general fund is down $1,700,000.0 from where we started 2025,” Pulaski said.
Council heard an operational update on water service. Scott Nalitz, introduced as the city's new water pumping superintendent, outlined his 33 years in the water industry and said he currently holds a Class 4 water-treatment license. Councilmembers and staff discussed new meters and monitoring practices: one council member reported that the city now has meters that record at 10-minute intervals and that water is tested frequently by the water department; those operational changes were cited as reasons spikes in individual bills can be detected quickly.
Councilmembers and staff also cited federal and state regulatory requirements driving sewer and wastewater projects. Councilmembers said those mandates and necessary capital repairs to aging supply lines contributed to recent rate increases and to the need for continued capital work.
All measures described were approved at the Sept. 2 meeting; council directed the clerk to file assessment lists with the county auditor and authorized administrative steps to proceed with bidding and contracting for the wastewater project.
