Vale to hike fees
Residents will see a $4.30 boost in sewer bills

By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Thursday, February 26, 2009 10:43 AM PST

Vale Public Works Utility Worker II Terry Harris, 36, points out aspects of one of the Vale sewer lagoons Wednesday afternoon. The city of Vale plans to increase sewer rates starting June 30.

Vale �”� Sewer rates in Vale are going up.

Tuesday night the Vale City Council voted to inform residents of a $4.30 boost in current sewer rates.

“I broke it into two increases,” Vale City Manager Brent Barton said.

At the last council meeting Feb. 11, council members decided that breaking the entire increase into two separate jumps would be easier for residents to handle financially, rather than having the fee hike arrive all at once.

The first of the two $2.15 increases is slated to take place June 30, with the second occurring Sept. 30.

ADVERTISEMENT

Though Vale City Council member Jeff Kunzman originally asked about a possible public forum regarding the rate hike, the council opted to have complaints funneled through the city manager. Barton said he would return to the council at its next meeting with an update on the amount of complaints he receives. Vale City Attorney Larry Sullivan said members of the public who wish to speak out about the rate increase also have the option of making their feelings known during the public comment portion of City Council meetings.

At the last council meeting, Barton said the increase is because of an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture.

A year ago, the city built a new lagoon using USDA funds. The 40-year loan, costing $3.5 million, is slated to be paid back at a rate of about $184,000 a year, with the first payment slated to be made this month.

Upon reviewing the city’s finances, the USDA learned Vale is not charging the contracted sewer rate amount and that the rate should be raised. If the city were to counter that it could afford to pay off the loan without raising sewer rates, the USDA would request an audit.

If the USDA agrees the city can afford to pay off the loan without raising sewer rates, the USDA could send the city to get a commercial loan. Barton said this loan may have a higher interest rate than the USDA loan, which would force the city to raise sewer rates anyway. In other council news:

�” Topic: The council discussed current revisions to the city’s dog ordinance.

�” Action: The council reviewed additions to the current ordinance, which detailed how a dangerous dog should be contained and set a minimum fee of $100 for violating the dog ordinance. The council opted to table the ordinance until its next meeting, pending the addition that an owner must have $ 1.5 million in lability insurance if a dog is considered dangerous.

�” Background: A dog attacked a 5-year-old boy in January, which lead the council to take another look at the dog ordinance. At the last council meeting, members of the public stepped forward to request the ordinance focus on the actions that can make a dog vicious, rather than the breed. Vale Mayor Mike McLaughlin said the ordinance would not contain provisions about breeds.

�” Topic: The council currently has one vacant council position with three residents offering to fill the slot.

�” Action: The council heard from two Vale residents, Charles “Rusty” Stretch and John Girvin, regarding their interest in the position at the council meeting last night. However, one resident, Randy Seals, could not make it to the meeting because of a basketball-coaching constraints. The council opted to postpone his interview until he could attend.

�” Background: The council seat was vacated by former Vale Councilman Michael Bannon in September. Bannon said he could no longer serve on the council because of health issues.