Kettering residents hear plan for 14% water rate increase

About a quarter of all customers receiving water and sewer service from Montgomery County are in Kettering where on Tuesday county officials gave the first of 10 public meetings scheduled to discuss a 14-percent rate increase planned for 2018.

Joe Tuss, Montgomery County administrator, told about 80 people at a regularly scheduled Kettering City Council meeting that the rate increase is needed because of deteriorating infrastructure resulting in higher costs for maintenance and needed new construction.

“You’ve got old infrastructure that’s reaching the end of its useful life,” he said.

No one spoke against or for the plan during the meeting.

Afterward, Tom Wittmann, 80, of Kettering said the officials made a measured appeal for the rate increase.

“Nobody wants to spend money, but you get what you pay for,” he said. “We’re not Flint, Mich. … We get good quality water.”

About 81,000 customers in all will see their combined water and sewer rate also go up an additional 5.6 percent each year from 2019-2022, according to a five-year plan announced by the county last week.

RELATED: Why Montgomery County water, sewer customers will pay more

The average Montgomery County residential customer, now paying about $170, will see quarterly bills rise about $24 in 2018.

While Montgomery County purchases water pumped by the city of Dayton, the county maintains a distribution system of 1,400 miles of water mains as well as 1,200 miles of sewer line and two wastewater plants.

Tuesday’s meeting was at the Kettering Government Center, 3600 Shroyer Rd.

MORE: Report claims Ohio one of worst states for water quality offenses


Montgomery County water rate public presentations

Presentations will be made at regular township and city council meetings.

- Butler Twp., 7 p.m., Nov. 27

Township Hall, 3780 Little York Rd., Dayton, OH 45414

- Centerville, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 20

Municipal Building, 100 West Spring Valley Rd., Centerville, OH 45458

- Clayton, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 7

Government Center, 6996 Taywood Rd., Englewood, OH 45322

- Harrison Twp., Noon, Nov. 16

Township Offices, 5945 North Dixie Dr., Dayton, OH 45414

- Jefferson Twp., 7 p.m., Dec. 5

Administration Building, One Business Park Dr., Dayton, OH 45417

- Kettering, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 14

Government Center, 3600 Shroyer Rd., Dayton, OH 45429

- Miami Township, 6 p.m., Nov. 28

Township Offices, 2700 Lyons Rd., Miamisburg, OH 45342

- Moraine, 6 p.m., Dec. 14

Municipal Building, 4200 Dryden Rd., Moraine, OH 45439

- Trotwood, 6 p.m., Nov. 20

Trotwood-Madison City Schools Board of Education Meeting Chambers, 3594 N. Snyder Road, Trotwood, OH 45426

- Washington Twp., 7:30 p.m., Dec. 4

Township Offices, 8200 McEwen Road, Dayton, OH 45458

Find your new rate

If you receive water and sewer service from Montgomery County you can get more information as well as estimate your new quarterly bill using an online rate calculator at www.mcohio.org/water/.

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