Cleveland aldermen adopt ordinance raising water and sewer rates

The Cleveland Board of Aldermen voted unanimously July 7 to adopt an ordinance raising water and sewer rates for the city.

Mayor Roberson told the board the public hearing on the proposed changes "went well" and that "there were no negative remarks." Alderman Williams read Bill No. 600 at the first reading; after a second reading by title only, the board adopted the measure as Ordinance No. 026-004 with a roll-call vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 2 members absent.

The ordinance updates the city's water and sewer rates "as a consequence of the rate increase of water purchased from Water District #2 and increase in cost of material and labor for water sewer hookups," city documents show. The adoption followed the procedural first and second readings required by city practice; the ordinance was formally approved on the second reading and recorded as Ordinance No. 026-004.

Board members present for the vote were Aldermen Muller, Hull, Williams and B. Hull; Aldermen Goben and Walker were absent. The ordinance text and supporting materials were made available to the public as part of the meeting packet.

The board did not specify a percentage change for customers at the meeting; details on rate tiers or effective billing dates were not provided in the transcript and are listed as not specified in the official meeting materials. Council records indicate the change responds to higher wholesale purchase costs from Water District #2 and higher material and labor costs for hookups.

A copy of the ordinance will be included in the city record; the commission did not amend the measure during the July 7 session.