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Stockbridge council approves 5% water, sewer and RTS rate increase; adopts ordinances, SDDA budget and appointment
Summary
At its Feb. 5 meeting the Village of Stockbridge council approved a 5% increase to RTS, sewer and water rates effective March 1, adopted a snow-emergency ordinance and penalty amendment, approved the SDDA 2024–2025 budget and appointed Nelva Lampart as SDDA director; bills of $76,831.07 were also paid.
The Village of Stockbridge council met on Feb. 5, 2024, and approved a series of motions affecting rates, ordinances, budgets and appointments.
In the meeting’s most substantive vote, the council approved a 5% increase to RTS, sewer and water rates effective by March 1, 2024. The motion was made by Council member Howlett and supported by Council member Cattell; the roll call recorded ayes from Cattell, Morehouse, Howlett, Powers-Taylor and President Ogden, with Mullins and Fairbotham absent. The increase was adopted by the council.
The council also moved to pay outstanding bills totaling $76,831.07. That motion, made by Howlett and supported by Cattell, passed on a roll call vote with the same five members recorded as voting aye.
Other actions approved by roll call included:
- Approval of Checkered Lawn Care’s quote to mow Veterans Memorial Park, including the Pump Track, for the 2024 season (motion by Morehouse; second Howlett).
- Adoption of a Snow Emergency Ordinance (motion by Howlett; second Cattell).
- Approval of an ordinance amending penalty provisions (Chapter 1, Sec. 1-6) (motion by Howlett; second Cattell).
- Approval of the SDDA 2024–2025 budget (motion by Cattell; second Howlett).
The council also voted to set Village Office hours upon the move to the new Village Office building: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. That motion was made by Morehouse and supported by Cattell; the minutes record the motion as passed ("all in favor").
President Ogden appointed Nelva Lampart as SDDA director with council support; the appointment was confirmed by roll call. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Why it matters: the rate increase affects households and businesses served by village utilities; adoption of the snow-emergency ordinance and penalty amendment updates the village’s enforcement tools; SDDA budget approval and appointment affect downtown development operations. The council scheduled a Budget Hearing for Feb. 20 at 6:00 p.m. and a Utilities Committee meeting for Feb. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
Next steps: the new rate takes effect March 1, 2024; the Budget Hearing is set for Feb. 20 at 6:00 p.m.
