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Berea utilities honored staff, council approves $30,000 water-fee overage and hears dam funding update
Summary
The council approved a one-time increase to water withdrawal fees from $200,000 to $230,000 and received awards and certification announcements from utilities staff; utilities reported progress on the dam project pending Army Corps and FEMA reviews and described planned communications with affected property owners.
At the June 2 meeting the Berea City Council approved a one-time increase to the water withdrawal fee line item and heard an update on the long-running dam project and recent employee recognitions from the utilities department.
Utilities General Manager Kevin Howard recognized multiple staff achievements and awards. He said assistant general manager Josh Gabbard completed the Utility Management Professional program (an EPA-funded curriculum), the electric division earned a reliability award from the American Public Power Association, and several wastewater and water operators achieved certifications and chapter honors. Howard praised the team for maintaining reliable service during recent storms.
One-time overage approved: Howard requested an increase in the water withdrawal fees account (200‑92000‑54610) from $200,000 to $230,000 to cover FY26 costs. Councilmember Katie Startsman moved the overage and Councilmember Steve Coddle seconded; the council approved the request by voice vote.
Dam project status: Howard updated the council on permitting and funding steps. He said the city is coordinating with the Kentucky Division of Water (Dam Safety), the Army Corps of Engineers (review expected next week), and FEMA, noting FEMA’s limited review capacity tied to declared disasters. Howard said the certified letter of map revision (CLOMR/LOMR) submitted to FEMA more than a year ago drew three technical comments that the city has addressed; Division of Water has reviewed the responses and the city expects remaining procedural steps to move forward. Howard said exhibits and property-owner letters for parcels affected by the 100‑year floodplain redesignation should be ready around July 1; following signoffs the city plans to request NRCS funding and proceed to bidding for construction pending funding availability. He estimated design and planning work has spanned roughly 12 years with a five- to six-year design phase.
What comes next: with Division of Water and Army Corps reviews near completion, the council will await FEMA concurrence on the map revision and then pursue funding and procurement steps. Howard cautioned that FEMA’s current disaster-response priorities can slow map-related actions but said the city is preparing the materials needed to move quickly once approvals arrive.
