More rate increases coming

The Board of Public Works approved Resolution 2016-6 outlining changes in waste water rates provided by the City of Kimball during their regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 24.

The resolution outlined a two tier rate increase for both inside and outside city limits with the first increase starting Sept. 1.

Starting today, if you live inside the city limits, the minimum charge is $15.25 per month with an additional $1.25 per 1,000 gallons. However, residents outside the city limits who utilize the City’s sewer/waste water service will be charged a minimum amount of $23.50 a month and $2.20 per 1,000 gallons.

These fees will only be in effect for seven months and then will again increase, in what appears to be arbitrary amounts. Minimum charges within the city will raise the most with an increase of $3.25 while residents outside the city limits will see their minimum charge increase $3.00. The reverse is true for the increased pricing of additional 1,000 gallons based on winter water usages billed on December, January and February utility bills. Those living inside city limits will be charged an additional 5 cents more, for a total of $1.30 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater used while those living outside the city limits will see an increase of 10 cents per 1,000 gallons to total $2.60.

Dumping fees at the waste water treatment plant will not increase but will remain the same at 5 cents per gallon.

Terry Jefferson, who lives just outside of the city limits, requested supplemental city sewer and electric be included for the new residence that is being erected on his property. The board approved new utility application for Jefferson.

Daniel Ortiz then delivered the City Administrator report for the city utility projects.

According to Ortiz, the dissolved oxygen monitoring system (DO probe) was not working correctly at the sewer plant.

“The DO probe is a component of the system that diffused oxygen into the plant. The oxygen is needed for the bugs to work, out there,” he said.

They’ve tried trouble shooting and manual operation without much success, stated Ortiz and because it is a necessary element of the system, a new DO probe was ordered even though he had not budgeted for one for the past several years.

Over the past few years, Kimball has been trying to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant and have been budgeting for these needed upgrades. This year, the sewer plant has had to replace two of the mixers. Going into this fiscal year, the city has budgeted for a ‘muffin monster’, a component of the plant that grinds and shreds all of the more solid material before it can enter the plant itself.

Discussion moved on to the seven previously inoperable fire hydrants and water lines on First Street. These hydrants had been down for the past several years, however there was budget for them in the general fund and the lines were repaired and new hydrants ordered at the cost of $14,000.

At the power plant, Ortiz reported that the urge test failed for the second time. A combination of components, including high heat, resulted in the number six engine running harder than normal, overheating and not passing the mandatory test.

A third test is scheduled in the next few weeks. Ortiz said he did not feel that it was an issue as MEAN had given them a 90 day window to make repairs. If for whatever reason it fails again, there is a possibility to request an extension to fix the engines.

Part of the reason there has been issues is that the engines are older, more problematic and parts for repair are becoming more difficult to find, Ortiz explained.

Ortiz announced that due to the recent rains, landfill manager, Jim Schulte was finally able to light the burn pit. Ortiz shared a video of the massive fire showing large logs, brush, etc. that lasted several hours past closing and was managed by Schulte.

The 2016/2017 final budget for the utility department was reviewed.

Ortiz said that this summer there had been higher amounts of both electric and water used that exceeded the expected revenue amounts, most likely from the higher temperatures, the use of air conditioners and the watering of yards.

Ortiz does not expect the winter consumption of utilities to change much, as he said, “With some of the weather forecasts I’ve seen, we’re forecasted for a moderate winter, so that’s my rationale for that.”

Continued review and little discussion was held over the remaining line items in the proposed budget for the upcoming year. Greg Robinson recommended the board forward the budget as presented to the City Council, Sonny Porter seconded that motion.

As there was no other discussion the meeting was adjourned. The next Board of Public Works meeting is set for Sept. 27 at 4:15 p.m. in the city offices.