County cuts water rates, staff
Friday, May 16, 2008
HAMILTON — Butler County water customers will see their water bills drop 10 percent in January and their sewer bills drop 15 percent after commissioners approved deep cuts in the Environmental Services division Thursday, May 15.
The typical household will save $7.32 a month in 2009, said Environmental Services Director Sue Vance. The county has 36,564 water customers and 41,552 sewer customers.
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These savings come at the cost of 22.5 jobs in the county's Environmental Services division — roughly 16 percent of the workforce — and the elimination of non-core programs.
"You are probably asking, 'how can we do this and still provide quality service to our customers," Vance said. "I assure you that we can, but in order to do so, we need to get back to basics."
The department will eliminate environmental education programs and the summer employment program, and scale back travel, training and vehicle use.
To reinforce their downsized role, the department will change its name back to the Water and Sewer Department.
"There are many environmental resources available to the public now, and as such, I don't think we have to be out there leading the parade, and expecting our customers to bear the cost," Vance said.
More than half of the $7.4 million annual savings will come from paying off three bonds. Commissioners said this debt is why the rates can drop now, but not sooner: because they've invested in the system and are now reaping rewards.
Commissioners lauded the plan, but lamented the layoffs.
"No one likes to see the layoffs or the human factor here, but it comes down to the rates, and we have to give that priority," said Commission President Charles Furmon.
The changes will go into effect in 30 days, and the January bill will be the first to reflect the rate cut.
The cut will bring the county's water rates down to just better than average, Vance said. And rates will inch back up slowly over the next five years, about 9 percent for water rates and 6 percent for sewer.
"Customers will still be paying lower rates in 2013 than they are today," Vance said.
