By L. Parsons The Winslow City Council unanimously approved water and wastewater rate hikes during their meeting last week. Winslow water customers will begin seeing the increase in rates beginning in January next year. According to Dan Jackson of Willdan Financial Services, “The adjustment from a percentage standpoint will be 3 to 4% on the water side and 2 to 3% on the wastewater side a weighted average of about 3% a year, or about the same as the increase of cost of living a year.” He continued, “The real impact on the water customer who uses 5,000 gallons of water per month is currently paying about $65 a month. That will increase by $2.24 a month.” In May, Jackson presented the council with this recommendation. In that presentation he said, “The average water and wastewater rates are being raised 5 to 6% every year. Water is simply becoming more expensive. The American Water Works Association expects water and sewer rates are going to triple in the next 15 years. “We would like to propose the city consider the implementation of a five year water and wastewater rate plan. The plan is for five years of automatic adjustments in January of 2022 and January of each of the next four years after that. That allows you to fund all the capital improvements and avoids any draw down of your unrestricted reserve balances as well as allowing rate payers to gradually adjust their household budgets.” The increase in costs for providing water are due to increases in cost to operate water and wastewater systems. Jackson said, “The reason is that water is a business, you produce a product with water like any other commodity. Costs go up. Components of the water system costs go up and are passed on to the rate payer. The cost of water service is not the cost of the molecules of water. It’s the cost of making water available to people. Because the water and wastewater utilities are city-owned in Winslow, they are not-for-profit revenue streams.” Johnson did point out that the water and wastewater funds in Winslow are in stable condition. “However,” he said, “you are at the point now where those funds are beginning to under recover and this will help prevent that.” In a special meeting immediately following, the council unanimously approved the fiscal year 2022 budget. The total financial resources available for fiscal year 2022 are $24.4 million. The budgeted expenditures for the year are $27.4 million. This is an increase in budgeted expenses from fiscal year 2021 in the amount of $3.6 million. Total all fund revenues are projected to equal $19.6 million, an increase over last year’s revenues of $4.1 million due to a projected increase in state shared sales tax as well as city sales tax and American Rescue Plan funding. The council also heard a quarterly report from Old Trails Museum Director Ann-Mary Lutzick. In her report she asked for volunteers for museum duties. Interested persons can contact the museum at 928-289-5861. In other business, the Council: * Heard a report from Winslow Public Housing Authority Director Kim Salazar who explained the facilities are at 96% capacity and some units are currently being modernized. * Heard a city status update from Winslow City Manager John Barkley who said, “We are offering a $5,000 signing bonus to experienced police officers interested in making a lateral move to our department.” * Heard from Winslow resident Judy Howell on the need for volunteers at the Winslow Animal Care Facility as they are at capacity. * Approved a $500 contribution to the Pow Wow being held at the multi-purpose field on July 3. * Held a public hearing on the final City of Winslow budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. Judy Howell spoke during the hearing and said, “I like the increase in the police department’s budget but I really would like the city to think hard about hiring another staff member at the Winslow Animal Care Facility.” * Held a public hearing for input on the estimated tax levy. No members of the public made comments and no action was taken. * Appointed Ruth Harrison to the Board of Adjustment until April 30, 2024. * Appointed Laurie Lashomb, to the Winslow Arts Council until April 1, 2024, as well as Tess Kenna and Ruth Harrison until April 30, 2024. * Reappointed Paula Beall to the Historic Preservation Commission until May 1, 2024. * Declared a vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission following the removal of Cheri Sahmie due to attendance issues. Kenn Evans was appointed to fill the vacancy until May 1, 2022. * Approved an amendment to a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with McCauley Construction as the third of four optional renewal terms. The agreement is to provide the city with job order contractual services for general construction. * Approved pension funding police for public safety employees participating in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System in a routine annual procedure. * The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 13, in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
