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Lorain committee weighs sewer and water rate options as expenses outpace revenue
Summary
At an April 6 Streets & Utilities Committee meeting, the Utilities director detailed capital work and warned that water and wastewater expenses now outstrip revenues; council and administration discussed raising fixed charges, phased increases, an RFP for third‑party collections and regional options to reduce costs.
Chairperson Thornsberry opened the Streets & Utilities Committee April 6 by saying the city must "figure out a way to increase revenue or decrease expenditures" as the Utilities Department faces a growing budget gap.
Utilities Director Joe Carbonaro told the committee that projects completed in 2025 included a year‑6 sewer lining and rehabilitation costing about $2 million, design work on the Pearl and Tacoma pump station (an EPA requirement), and 90% completion of a digester improvement project. Ongoing projects he listed included PQM improvements construction, Jaeger Road and Martins Run pump stations, a sanitary sewer evaluation study (SSES) and water valve and tower work. Carbonaro said the SSES will help set a 5–15 year capacity plan and guide potential intergovernmental connections.
Carbonaro showed historical rate and fund trends, saying the city previously charged a fixed $21…
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