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Winfield council approves sewer rate increase; wastewater plant shortfall flagged
Summary
On Aug. 15 the Winfield City Council approved Ordinance 2022-2023-7 raising sewer rates at third reading and reviewed wastewater-plant work, including a $4,000 concrete bid over contingency and an upcoming Sept. 15 USDA pay-app deadline.
The Winfield City Council approved Ordinance 2022-2023-7, a sewer rate increase, at its Aug. 15 special meeting. Dana Campbell moved to approve the ordinance at its third reading; the motion carried.
Council members heard updates on the city’s wastewater treatment work that contextualized the ordinance. Staff reported electric, gas and heat have been installed in the new wastewater building, and that a concrete bid arrived $4,000 above the remaining contingency. Council members agreed to decide next month how to address the shortfall. Officials also said ballasts for the UV building were installed after being backordered since March, and staff noted the last day to submit a USDA payment application is Sept. 15.
City Counsel Tim LaFon reported on discussions with the Home Rule board about a possible 1% sales tax and said the city must reduce some business-and-occupation (B&O) elements, provide financial justification and adopt a new ordinance before moving forward. LaFon suggested obtaining revenue figures from Todd Dingess before advancing the sales-tax proposal; Mayor Randy Barrett said part of the goal is to assume responsibility for privately owned streets in poor condition.
Mayor Randy Barrett warned that while the wastewater plant can accept additional flow from new development in the Winfield Avenue area, the lift stations cannot, and therefore any new development must receive prior approval to tie into the system.
The council did not specify an effective date for the sewer rate change at the meeting. The council will revisit the wastewater budget shortfall and related funding decisions at a future meeting.
