The Cisne Village Board recently convened to discuss necessary adjustments to gas, sewer, and water rates. Brad Jesop from FNB Financial assisted the board in reviewing a formula to address these increases. The gas fund has been operating at a loss and has not seen a rate adjustment since 2006. Jesop recommended a 15 percent increase above estimated costs and suggested raising the maintenance fee from $3 to $5.
The board approved a motion to set the new gas utility rate at a minimum of $8.15, with the 15 percent increase applied to the estimated costs and an additional $5 maintenance fee for each unit, starting with the October billing period.
The sewer and water utilities are subject to specific stipulations due to outstanding bonds issued for their respective projects. For the sewer fund, which has two more years of bond payments, the village is currently making $500 monthly contributions that can be allocated for major repairs. The annual cost for servicing the bonds is $15,000. The current sewer rate is a minimum of $22, with an additional charge of $4 per 1,000 gallons. Jesop advised that to break even, a 25 percent increase in the sewer rate is necessary, raising the minimum to $28 and the cost to $5 per 1,000 gallons. The last adjustment to the sewer rate occurred in June 2017.
Jesop indicated that the water fund requires the most significant increase, recommending an 80 percent raise spread over four years (40, 10, 10, and 10 percent). Ultimately, the board voted to increase the water rate by 25 percent this year, raising it from a minimum of $22.50 to $27.50, with a charge of $5 for every 1,000 gallons thereafter. This adjustment remains more economical than connecting to the Western Wayne Water District, allowing the village to maintain control over costs and services.
Additionally, the board approved a $500 donation for this year’s Halloween celebration on the square, with trick-or-treating scheduled for October 30. Mayor Roy Atwood also addressed the management of the village hall during Village Collector Jennifer Eckleberry’s five weeks of vacation each year. The board decided to close the village hall during her absence, with calls forwarded to Dave Bullard and payments accepted via the drop box, similar to procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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