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Conneaut manager proposes average water‑bill rise of $6–$10 starting Feb. 1; outlines streaming, paving and development items
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Summary
City Manager Sanford told Council on Jan. 12 that mandatory 2025 operational costs left a $475,000 gap, prompting a proposed water‑rate increase that would add roughly $6 to $10 to the average monthly bill effective Feb. 1, 2026; he also announced the first live YouTube broadcast and noted a Tractor Supply zoning application.
City Manager Mr. Sanford updated Conneaut City Council on operations and near‑term proposals during the Jan. 12 meeting, announcing a proposed increase to customer water rates, the city's first live YouTube broadcast of a council meeting and several infrastructure and development items.
Mr. Sanford said mandatory operational increases in 2025 reduced cash reserves by roughly $475,000 and that staff will submit a capital improvement plan to consultant Raftelis as part of a water‑rate study. "It is necessary [to] increase rate base to cover an additional $475,000 for mandatory operational increases that we encountered throughout 2025," he said, adding that the change "amounts to an average $6 to $10 increase per month to the average water bill, effective February 1, 2026." The water‑rate work will include the capital improvement plan and further analysis by Raftelis.
On communications and public access, Mr. Sanford announced the Jan. 12 meeting was the first to be broadcast live on YouTube and commended the Cable Advisory Board for helping the City begin streaming; he said the City will review Chapter 179 of the Codified Ordinances for any necessary revisions to accommodate streaming services.
Infrastructure and planning items Mr. Sanford reported included: ongoing screening of asphalt grindings for pothole repair linked to a Kingsville Township detour; a proposed three‑year, data‑driven pavement condition rating program using GIS and AI (details to be presented at a February work session); consideration of a temporary ODOT signal at Route 7 and I‑90; and ODOT’s assessment that visible damage to the Amboy bridge is not structural and is scheduled for repair this year.
Mr. Sanford also said Planning and Zoning received a formal zoning permit application for a Tractor Supply Company to occupy the former Giant Eagle space at Gateway Plaza; that overlay zoning for advanced manufacturing is under review; and that one resume has been submitted to fill a Port Authority vacancy (the Port currently has three vacancies). He noted public‑facing efforts such as mailers from contractor 120Water related to the lead service line inventory and a delay in Rescue Squad membership mailings for 2026 until the Fire Department issues new notices.
Mr. Williams (Finance Director) later confirmed the water billing system experienced repeated errors and staff were working toward a permanent fix. Mr. Sanford also noted a Feb. 2 joint work session with the School Board and a Safe Streets Steering Committee meeting scheduled for Jan. 13.
Next steps: staff will submit the capital improvement plan to Raftelis, provide more information on the pavement‑rating proposal at the February work session, and bring any rate‑setting recommendations to Council for action.