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City announces utility rate increases, road work and Ward 3 vacancy application process
Summary
City staff announced modest water and sewer rate increases (water consumption +1.8%, readiness to serve +15.3%; sewer consumption +1.1%, readiness +0.4%), upcoming road and utility work on Ottawa and Ralston, and opened a 30-day window to fill a Ward 3 council vacancy with an application deadline suggested for Monday by 05:00.
During the Jan. 6 Defiance City Council meeting staff provided several operational updates affecting residents.
Water and sewer rates: City staff (recorded as Miss Bridal) said water consumption rates will increase 1.8% and the water 'readiness to serve' charge will increase 15.3%; sewer consumption will increase 1.1% and readiness-to-serve 0.4%. Staff estimated the combined effect to be roughly $4–$5 per month for an average resident and said the readiness-to-serve increase is driven by debt load tied to capital projects.
Road and utility work: Public works staff briefed the council on upcoming work on Ottawa Avenue: full installation is scheduled Jan. 7 between Agnes and Ayresville, with flaggers used during work hours and portable signals managing traffic; utility relocation by Ohio Gas, Omni Fiber and others is planned mid- to late-January for about one month. Work at Ralston (intersection with Latchoff) requires short relocations that should take only a few days; side-street closures were listed for Haight, Petain, Glen and Logan during active work hours.
Ward 3 vacancy and application process: Council noted a Ward 3 vacancy after Mr. Mast moved to an at-large seat and cited Section 2.04 of the city charter (30-day requirement to fill vacancies). Council said one application is on file, discussed advertising options, and asked that Ward 3 residents wishing to be considered submit a resume or letter of introduction (City Hall drop-off or contact a council member) and recommended a submission/contact deadline of Monday by 05:00 so council can act at the next meeting. Council suggested describing Ward 3 as the area 'North Of The River' when publicizing the vacancy.
No citizens spoke on these items during the meeting and council moved to other business.
