By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor Water and sewer customers in Truesdale will see their monthly water and sewer bills increase. Aldermen agreed to raise the rates by 3 percent, a move that went into effect July 1 when the 2014-2015 fiscal year began. The new budget was adopted by the Truesdale board at its June 25 meeting. All water users in the city will pay 25 cents more for the first 1,000 gallons used and 11 cents extra for each additional 1,000 gallons used. The new rates are $8.51 for the first 1,000 gallons and $3.78 for each additional 1,000 gallons used. Sewer users will see rates go up 8 percent, with Warrenton raising its fee by 5 percent to go along with Truesdale’s 3-percent increase. Truesdale’s rate went up 9 cents, from $2.95 to $3.04, for the first 1,000 gallons used. For residential customers, the sewer rates will be $12.78 for the first 1,000 gallons and $3.37 for each 1,000 gallons used thereafter. Commercial customers will pay $23.73 for the first 1,000 gallons and $6.94 for each additional 1,000 gallons used. As part of the agreement with Warrenton, Truesdale is also reimbursed 75 cents per account for reading meters and handling the billing. This year’s spending plan in Truesdale includes $1,506,793.41 budgeted for revenues and expenditures. The amount is a decrease of $46,111.16 compared to the previous year. The budget includes $1,201,01.76 set aside in the general fund and $304,891.65 in the water and sewer fund. The city also anticipates increases in real estate and personal property taxes and sales tax. Real estate and personal property taxes are projected to be $265,000, a $3,000 increase from last year’s budget. For sales tax, the city has budgeted $104,074.76. A year ago, the budgeted amount was $86,500. The board approved adding the title of “administrator” to the city clerk position. The job duties aren’t expected to change much for Administrator/City Clerk Mary Lou Rainwater, who has worked for the city since May 1982. She will be paid $46,376 annually. “She has been doing (the duties) all along,” Truesdale Mayor Murray Bruer said. “The title gives more definition to the job and her capabilities.” The pay for all salary and hourly employees will increase, with the hike varying for each position. The projected expense for personnel is $309,388.50. Last year the city budgeted $298,716.61 for salaries. Also during the fiscal year, the salary for the mayor will increase $50 per month to $1,050. The monthly salary will remain $1,000 until the municipal election is held in April 2015. Capital Expenditures The biggest infrastructure project Truesdale plans to tackle this year is relocating Market Street to the north and moving North Depot Street to the east. Both streets will be widened as part of the proposed plans. The total cost for the project allocated in this year’s budget is $357,000, with $107,000 allocated from funds that were part of the Neighborhood Stabilization grant, $235,000 from the general fund and $15,000 from the street and motor fuel account. Engineering for the project was performed last year. “Two cars can go, but you hope they don’t have their mirrors out,” Rainwater said. City officials also hope to repair several concrete streets located in Dieckmann Farms, Heritage Hills and in the Daniel Boone Industrial Park. The estimated cost for the improvements is $20,000. The city has $5,400 allocated to cover its match for grant funds that will be used to demolish two deteriorating homes and also has plans to construct an additional bay at the salt shed. Officials said the city will be able to purchase a larger amount of salt during the summer when the cost is much lower. Two water projects proposed for this year include installing a water line on East Veterans Memorial Parkway. The line will be installed near NAPA and go east to supply water to a new storage unit business. The other project consists of adding a water line from Truesdale Avenue to South Spoede Lane to connect with an existing line located behind Gastorf Chevrolet. Both projects combined are expected to cost $40,000, according to officials. The budget includes $3,000 set aside for contingency for the improvements.
Rate increase part of adopted budget in Truesdale
