Lucas County commissioners approve water, wastewater rate changes, ortho imagery agreement and solid-waste fixed charge

The Lucas County Board of Commissioners on a unanimous roll call approved rate adjustments for water, wastewater treatment and sanitary sewer collection to cover operations, maintenance and debt service; authorized a memorandum of understanding to obtain ortho imagery; approved a fixed solid-waste charge for improved parcels; and authorized applications for water resource recovery facility improvement projects.

Jim Shaw, presenting for the sanitary engineer, described the rate items and related actions: "Item 4 is approval of rates. This is water, wastewater treatment and sanitary sewer collection rates, operation maintenance and debt service. This is in response, 3 of these items are in response to the June 10, June 17 and June 24 public hearings." Shaw also described the ortho imagery MOU: "This is for the ortho imagery services. This would be an agreement between the board of Lucas County commissioners, Lucas County engineer ... over the next 3 years, it's $7,500 per year to obtain those images in 20 26, 7 and 8." Shaw presented the solid waste item as a fixed rate or charge of $1.67 per improved parcel in Lucas County.

Commissioners commented in support of the package, praising the department's public outreach and preventive maintenance approach as a cost-saving measure compared with emergency repairs. Commissioners noted public hearings were held on June 10, June 17 and June 24; presenters reported mostly supportive comments in the meetings, including at an evening Springfield Township meeting. Commissioners also referenced past rate history during remarks: one speaker noted wastewater and sanitary rates had not increased since 2015, and another reference said the last rate increase was in 2019; the transcript contains both statements and does not reconcile them.

The motion to accept the sanitary engineer and solid waste items was moved and the clerk called the roll; Commissioners Cabecki, Gerken and Lopez voted yes. The actions were recorded as approved.

The approvals allow county staff to implement the rate schedule, enter the ortho imagery MOU at $7,500 per year for three years (2026–2028), collect a fixed solid-waste charge of $1.67 per improved parcel, and submit applications for water resource recovery facility improvements. Funding awards, billing changes and specific capital projects are subject to further administrative steps and, where applicable, external approvals.