Vote on Lebanon water rate hike this week

Proposed increase of 6 percent would add approximately $2 to an average customer’s bill.

LEBANON — A decision to raise city water rates was delayed Nov. 23 after some council members said they needed more time to analyze the proposed increase.

The proposed 6 percent increase in water rates would be the third hike in three years for Lebanon. The rate increase would add approximately $2 to the average customer’s bill and generate $175,000 for the city’s water utility, officials said.

Vice Mayor Jeff Monroe asked council to postpone the vote until its meeting on Tuesday to allow further time to discuss the proposal and analyze a study of water rates in the area. Council agreed to wait by a 5-1 vote, with only Councilman Ben Cole being against waiting.

The rate increase is needed to pay for improvements and replacements to several water mains in the city limits, as well as to incorporate an automated meter reading system into the department, according to Deputy City Manager Scott Brunka.

The city is preparing to switch its water supplier from in-house wells to Greater Cincinnati Water Works in 2013. When city leaders approved the switch in August 2008, they agreed to install larger water mains at several areas in the city. Some of these installations, including Glosser Road and Deerfield Road have already taken place. East Street, Mound Court and Mulberry Street also are scheduled to get new water mains, Brunka said.

Councilwoman Charleen Mehaffie Flick has already spoken against the rate increases and voted against both the merger with GCWW and previous rate hikes.

Mayor Amy Brewer has said the infrastructure improvements are a necessity and the rate increases are the only way to pay for them.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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