Mount Vernon council sets June 16 public hearing on proposed sewer rate increase

The Mount Vernon City Council voted June 2 to schedule a public hearing on June 16, 2025, to consider amending Chapter 99.02 of the municipal code to raise sanitary sewer service charges. The council took the action after members said sanitary sewer rates will need to increase beyond the amount currently listed in Chapter 99.02 as identified during the budget process. The motion to set the hearing was made by Councilmember Tuerler and seconded by Councilmember Rose; the motion carried.

The hearing gives residents and stakeholders an opportunity to review the proposed code change and offer comment before any ordinance amendment. The council record notes the change is tied to broader budget planning for sewer operations and capital needs; no specific new rate was adopted on June 2. The municipal code section to be amended was identified in the agenda as “Chapter 99.02” for sewer service charges.

Councilmembers also approved Pay Application #4 for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project in the amount of $67,049.48 for point repairs and corrections to televising and lining lengths. The payment was approved on a motion by Tuerler, seconded by Engel. The Glenn Street Extension retainage (Pay Application #4, $45,362.22) was also approved and will be released after the mandatory 30-day waiting period noted elsewhere on the agenda.

Next steps: the formal public hearing on June 16 will present the proposed ordinance language to the public and allow for comment; any final change to Chapter 99.02 would require formal council action after the hearing.