Eads Board Prepares Water Rate Increases
May 9, 2003
The Town of Eads Board of Trustees met in special session April 15 with board members Diane Crow, Charles Howard, Jan King, John Philpy, Dorie Musgrave, Daryll Adamson and Mayor Larry Michael present.
The town’s auditor, Gary Woodward, presented the annual overview of the town’s financial condition, and expressed his approval of the town’s financial status. Woodward also stated that the town would be subject to new financial reporting requirements for fiscal year 2004. Under the new requirements, the town will need to include such infrastructure items as streets, curbs and sidewalks, in addition to the normal inventory of equipment and supplies. States and larger cities have already been subjected to the requirements. The board approved the audit report, and accepted Woodward’s service engagement letter for the upcoming year.
Board members once again began reviewing health insurance plans. The town, like most every person or entity, if facing an increase in premiums. Proposals had been solicited from local agents Marilyn Baxter and Tim Weeks however, after reviewing the proposals, the board felt that it had not adequately outlined its needs and would not be able to compare the two plans. Revisions will be made, and the agents will be asked to resubmit their proposals based upon insurance services that the town would like to provide to employees.
Van Brown, Director of Public Works, stated that he had received bids ranging from $7,495 to $12,020 for an open-ended building to house the town’s trash truck. Following a discussion regarding making local purchases whenever competitive pricing allowed, the board approved a bid from Building Materials Supply in Lamar for $8,620. Town employees will construct the building.
With the impending start of construction of the town’s new water system and tower, the board reviewed water rates and pricing structure. Members reviewed a variety of options for minimum monthly rates, rates per 1,000 over the minimum, and the bulk water rate at the ground tower at Maine and 15th streets. The bulk water rate was doubled to $2 per 1000 gallons, effective May 1. Late fees on water bills were doubled to $10, and the service turn-on fee was raised from $10 to $25. The $50 deposit was left unchanged. Monthly minimums were increased to $17.50, with a rate of $1.50 per 1,000 gallons over the minimum. Aside from the bulk water rate, a date was not set for the increases. The board directed Brown to devise a water conservation/restriction to be considered at the next regular meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held May 13.