Clyde council adopts sewer rate increase, approves equipment purchases and project bids

Clyde City Council on Feb. 18, 2025, adopted several measures to advance infrastructure work and municipal operations, including a sewer rate increase, multi‑year fishing agreements and purchases of heavy equipment and vehicles for the electric department.

Sewer rates and wastewater financing

Ordinance 2025‑13, a sewer‑rate increase, passed on a 4‑1 vote (Councilman Greg McMaster — Aye; Councilwoman Meek — Aye; Mayor McAuley — Aye; Councilman Chris Shea — Aye; Vice Mayor Scott Black — Nay). City staff said the increase is intended in part to finance upgrades at the near‑capacity wastewater treatment plant and to provide the financial capacity needed to borrow for improvements. City manager/administrator Justin Leben told council that loan repayment capacity was a key reason for the rate changes.

Renewal of cooperative fishing agreements

Resolution 2025‑18 authorized the city manager to renew cooperative fishing agreements with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for Beaver Creek and Raccoon Creek reservoirs for another 25 years. Council approved the resolution unanimously. Staff cautioned that the agreements require reasonable public access at all times and carried a reminder to anglers about ice‑fishing risks.

Equipment and vehicle purchases for Clyde Light & Power

Council approved three equipment/vehicle resolutions for Clyde Light & Power: - Resolution 2025‑19: Purchase of a Vermeer horizontal directional drill (D20x22 S3 Navigator Horizon) for $248,004 via Sourcewell cooperative purchasing; council approved the purchase unanimously. Staff noted a $23,000 trade‑in credit on the old drill. - Resolution 2025‑20: Purchase of a Galleon 9‑foot steel dump package for $26,400; approved unanimously. - Resolution 2025‑21: Purchase of three Ford chassis cabs (a 2025 F150, a 2025 F350 and a 2025 F550) at quoted amounts of $47,775; $60,265; and $63,110 respectively; approved unanimously. Staff noted the dump bed purchase (Resolution 2025‑20) corresponded to one of these chassis.

Capital projects: bids and engineering work

Resolution 2025‑22 authorized the city manager to advertise for bids under the city’s bidding rules for multiple public‑works projects including: wastewater treatment plant Phase 1 improvements (grit collection replacement, screw pump replacement, dewatering upgrades), Hendricks Park cul‑de‑sac parking improvements, Grant Street culvert replacement and an Elm Street sanitary sewer extension. Council approved going to bid unanimously; staff said project funding sources will be identified by the finance director.

Votes at a glance (motions and results)

- Ordinance 2025‑13 (increase sewer rates): Moved by Chris Shea; second by Greg McMaster. Vote: Aye 4, Nay 1 (Vice Mayor Black). Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 2025‑18 (ODNR fishing agreements, 25 years): Moved by Meek; second by Shea. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 2025‑19 (Vermeer drill purchase, $248,004): Moved by Shea; second by Meek. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 2025‑20 (Galleon dump package, $26,400): Moved by McMaster; second by McMaster (self‑second recorded). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 2025‑21 (three vehicles for Light & Power; totals $171,150 quoted): Moved by Shea; second by McMaster. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 2025‑22 (advertise for bids for multiple projects): Moved by Meek; second by Shea. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted.

Budget and finance notes

Finance Director Frank Wiesner presented unaudited December balances and said the general fund’s projected ending balance was a little over $3 million, above prior projections. He warned the water fund ran a temporary negative balance because the city had spent grant funds before year‑end and was awaiting state reimbursement. Wiesner said the sewer fund adjustments tied to the plant upgrade will proceed as planned.

Ending

Council members described the votes as part of planned capital work on utilities and park projects and said staff will return with further budget and schedule details as projects move to engineering and procurement.