Warren County will apply for federal stimulus funds to offset costs on the $35 million expansion of the Lower Little Miami Wastewater Treatment Plant.
By what has become the usual 2 to 1 vote, Warren County Commissioners Pat South and Dave Young approved applying for the money.
“I don’t vote for that money,” Commissioner Mike Kilburn said.
South and Young, who also believe the stimulus package was a bad idea, have made the distinction between when they will take the funds and when not. When they have a project on the books, such as the sewer plant expansion or the judicial center expansion, they will take the money because it is an existing project, it can save taxpayers month and the money will go somewhere else in the state if they don’t use it here.
The commissioners did not approve applying for money to improve the transit system, because they said their bus fleet is fine as it is.
There is some question however if the county will expand the sewer plant at all. With the announced departure of Sumco in Hamilton Twp. — the company announced last week it would shut it’s doors by June 30, 2010 — the county is considering holding off on expansion and raising rates, because of its biggest user/revenue producer is leaving.
“With Sumco closing their doors, that will open up capacity at the plant. They were using approximately 500,000 gallons a day which is equivalent to about 1250 homes,” said Patty Solinski, business manager for the water and sewer department. “So the $1 million question at hand is. Is now the right time for an expansion?”
However, she and Sanitary Engineer Chris Brausch told commissioners expansion isn’t the only consideration. Brausch said they have probably spent $350,000 on repairs at the plant over the last four months.
Solinski said a three percent rate hike for sewer services was already in the budget, but now with Sumco’s departure she is recommending a 10 percent rate increase.
The average residential customer uses 14,000 gallons every two months, the rate increase means the bimonthly bill would go from $51.24 to $56.18.
The commissioners will discuss the sewer plant and rate hikes at a work session on July 14.
