What's Happening in Westlake, OH…

The North Olmsted City Council recently adopted an ordinance that sets new sewer rates for the city's residents, which will be in effect through 2027.

Carrie Copfer, the finance director of North Omsted, says the new increases are modest in comparison to those established between 2011 and 2019, when rates rose by 64%. Copfer says she understands these large increases were difficult for residents, but necessary, since the EPA had mandated the city make improvements to the waste water treatment plant and collection system. The repairs cost $58.4 million, brought the plant up to standards, and also put it in a financially stable position.

Since the situation has improved, Copfer says the upcoming increases will be much lower, with rates remaining almost the same as they are now through 2021. After that, they will increase by 2% from 2022 through 2025, and 2.5% in 2026 and 2027. Flyer printing can provide informative materials describing changes like this.

Cleveland Water collects data on water usage and bills accordingly, and switched to monthly billing from quarterly billing in 2016. Concerns that the change might cause revenues to fall short of the necessary amount led the city to hire Hazen and Sawyer to study rates. The results of the study, Copfer says, enabled the city to set the new rates that will meet the required financing of the collection system and treatment plan, including debt servicing and capital requirements. The increase will also provide adequate funding for repair, maintenance, and operations.