Lakemore council adopts lower quarterly sewer base rate, adjusts usage charges

The Village of Lakemore council voted to adopt Ordinance 1912-2025, lowering the quarterly residential and metered sanitary sewer base rate from $300 to $200 and setting new usage charges that take effect July 1, 2026.

The ordinance reduces the base charge to $200 and establishes a usage rate of $15 per 1,000 gallons consumed over the base 1,000 gallons. For accounts outside Lakemore the ordinance sets a quarterly base of $320 and a usage rate of $21 per 1,000 gallons; that figure includes a 40% surcharge for out-of-Lakemore accounts. The ordinance also states the annual 20-cent increase to the usage rate will continue on April 1, 2027, and thereafter.

Council read the ordinance on the record before taking the vote; the public hearing held at the meeting drew no attendees to speak on the proposal. The presiding official noted the reduction in the base rate and said residents who use limited water should see a lower quarterly sewer bill under the new structure. The ordinance sets implementation on the earliest date permitted by law, with the text specifying a July 1, 2026 effective billing date.

The ordinance includes a standard clause repealing any prior ordinances or resolution sections inconsistent with the new rates and states the council's finding that the measure was adopted in an open meeting in compliance with Ohio Revised Code section 121.22. No amendments to the ordinance were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Next steps: the ordinance was declared an emergency measure and adopted by roll call during the meeting; implementation and customer-billing adjustments will follow municipal billing procedures ahead of the July 1, 2026 effective date.