Elyria Council discusses raising water and sewer rates

ELYRIA — Water and sewer rates may be going up for residents, after a discussion at City Council's finance committee meeting. Total revenue from the increased rates would bring in about 15 percent extra in total revenue, but the actual rate increase was not clear as of Tuesday night. Elyria is working or will work on several sewer projects, including the East Side Sewer Relief project, including work on Abbe Road and the tunnel under the Ohio Turnpike. Those projects are due to regulations and unfunded mandates handed down by the Environmental Protection Agency. Although the city has taken out a zero interest over 30 years $16 million loan on the work, they still have to find a way to pay for those loans, said Tim Ujvari, administrative project manager with Elyria. "We're talking magnitude of project, magnitude of cost," Ujvari said. Ujvari said there has to be rate increases to fund the projects, particularly looking at 2021 and 2022 rate increases in water and sewer. Litigation between Elyria and the EPA has not been resolved on a 30-year term for the projects, so the rates have not been unveiled because Ujvari said they don't know the total term of the project. Ujvari did say they have a good handle of where the next two years will go based on negotiations with the EPA. Council members were given several examples of what bills could look like under different usage amounts. Lower use utility bills (3 CCF) had 19 percent and 12 percent increases, medium use utility bills (5 CCF) had 16 percent and 10 percent increases and high use utility bills (10 CCF) had 12 percent and seven percent increases over 2020 and 2021. Rates were compared with similar cities, or cities that are in Lorain County. Many of those cities are also increasing rates, Ujvari said. Councilwoman Donna Mitchell, D-6th Ward, said Council would have to weight their decisions very carefully. "We have a large population, but it's not a wealthy population," Mitchell said. "So, we keep raising rates and raising rates, and I understand this work has to be done and it has to be paid for." Water rates were last raised in 2008 by 28 percent, and sewer rates went up slightly as well. Those increases were for repairs to the water and sewer systems over 20 years. Safety Service Director Mary Siwierka said there were more improvements that are required now that weren't foreseen back in 2008. "For the average Elyria resident, who's on a budget, who's paycheck doesn't go up much, this is going to be a burden," Mitchell said. "It may not seem like it, but it will. So, I think we have to make very wise decisions." Finance committee Chairman Vic Stewart, D-Council at large, said members would have to make a decision on the rates before the end of the year. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.