LISBON - Columbiana County Commissioners increased sewer rates for the village of Lisbon and county customers served by the Elkton sewer treatment plant by 18 cents Wednesday.
The move had been requested two months ago by Shawn Apple, chairman of the Elkton Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Board, who cited rising operating costs as the reason the rates needed to increase. The facility is located on state Route 154.
The cost charged to the village, which buys the treatment service and then charges its own rate to village customers, increased from $1.57 per 1,000 gallons of water treated to $1.75 per 1,000 gallons of water treated.
For county customers, the rate will increase from from $5.71 per 1,000 gallons to $5.89 per 1,000 gallons.
The commissioners had already approved a separate rate hike for the federal prison on Scroggs Road as part of a 10-year agreement ratified in October to provide water and sewer to the facility. The sewer rate for the prison increased from $3.69 per 1,000 gallons of treated water to $4 per 1,000 gallons of treated water.
According to Apple, the plant expenses exceeded the income last year. The increase in sewer fees will help make up the difference, along with a decision to place no money in the capital equipment replacement fund this coming year.
In other business, the commissioners tabled a decision on hiring an architect for the new Department of Job and Family Services building to be located off of Saltwell Road. Commissioner Jim Hoppel said they wanted more time to review information they received from the prosecutor's office.
The commissioners also journalized a list of contracts for DJFS which totaled less than $25,000 for the year. The agency doesn't have to have commissioners approve contracts which fall under $25,000, but must provide them with a list at the end of the year. The contracts dealt with copy maintenance agreements, snow removal, floor mats, paper shredding, cleaning and programs for car seats, lice eradication, financial literacy, foster care recruiting and domestic violence training.
Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net
