Council hears second reading of sewage rate changes and supplemental bond resolution for combined sewer system

Bridal Bracey, executive director of the Water Quality Board, presented the second reading of the sewage rate ordinance (Ordinance 2024-O-43), telling council the city is at a juncture to get key projects underway—most notably the wastewater treatment plant. Bracey said the ordinance sets staged increases intended to create a minimal impact on residents while ensuring project funding.

Bracey described the Route 10 line extension mechanism by which customers served by the extension would pay for it through a surcharge; she detailed the surcharge structure presented in the packet as a $21 flat rate and $7 per 1,000 gallons, explaining the design is intended to avoid unduly burdening single-person households while allocating higher costs to larger users and businesses.

Later in the agenda Bracey returned to the supplemental resolution authorizing parameters for the City of Huntington—s combined sewer and stormwater system refunding revenue bond series 2024A, describing it as the final step to merge two utilities and combine bonds and bond anticipation notes, consistent with prior approvals. Bracey and staff indicated they are available to answer technical questions but the transcript records no formal vote on either the rate ordinance or the supplemental resolution during the work session.

Council comment during the rate discussion included a member who said he would support the increase despite constituent concerns about higher fees. The items remain pending further council action.