Possibility of rate increases in Sweet Springs brings crowd to Aldermen meeting

The Missouri State Operating Permit that allows Sweet Springs' wastewater treatment plant to operate will expire March 22, 2012, and the next permit may have more stringent regulations applied to the wastewater, said Scott Adams, environmental engineer for Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Because of this, he advised city administrators to look at future requirements for wastewater treatment under the Clean Water Act and the Missouri Clean Water Law in their decisions regarding upgrades to the plant.

Adams estimated the cost for the work he recommended the board approve as $2,000,000.

Alderman Billie Clevenger asked Adams if sewer rates would increase. He responded that DNR has no authority to set rates in a municipality, but recommends that, for a 5,000 gallon per month user, water and wastewater cost 2 percent of the town's median household income. Because the median household income of Sweet Springs residents is approximately $25,000, said City Clerk Ronda Nienhueser, DNR's recommendation would put rates at about $40 per month for wastewater service and $40 per month for water service. A household's total expenditures for wastewater service are currently approximately $12 per month, she added.

When Clevenger stated that rates will increase, Mayor Ray Kinney responded, "I don't see that as a guarantee."

He continued, "I'm not going to (request the council) raise it to 2 percent because DNR recommends me to raise it to 2 percent. ... We don't know how much money we're going to need."

He added that the fact that 20 percent of Sweet Springs residents receive water shut-off notices each month shows him that many people cannot pay the current water rates.

In addition to speaking against any substantial increase in wastewater bills, citizens also asked the board why nothing had been done to fix a problem of which it has been long aware. Mayor Ray Kinney stated the board had been waiting for an engineer's report. The issue that slowed the receipt of that report, he added, was funding the $12,000 payment to an engineer to perform that report. The recent income survey sent to residents was part of the effort to secure that funding, an effort that, Kinney said, has been in progress since before he took office.

Aldermen considered a request from Sweet Springs R-7 School District to install four street lights on Marshall Street near the high school. The high school is currently undergoing renovations to its outdoor lighting system.

Alderman Billie Clevenger said she feels that at least two lights are needed.

The issue was tabled.

The board approved a bill to make unlawful parking on the north side of Union Street between Locust Street and Daisy Street, effective immediately.

Kinney discussed bids received for the demolition of the old wastewater plant, saying that at $25,000 to $50,000, they were too high for the city to consider. He attributed the high quotes to thick concrete and iron pipes in the building.

The board voted to send up to nine firefighters to training session. The cost to attend the session is $145, said Sweet Springs Fire Chief Todd Anderson, plus travel costs.

Kinney spoke to the board about the possibility of allowing Sweet Springs area residents living outside city limits to serve on boards. City Attorney Russ Kruse said he would look into the legality of such a move.

Alderman Jim Lindemann asked if all receipts for purchases made with funds from the "bed tax" had been received. Nienhueser said the Chamber of Commerce had already purchased the items it requested funds to pay for and did present a receipt for that, but Sweet Springs Revitalization, which had requested and received $1,600 to promote the Oktoberfest celebration in Sweet Springs, had not submitted receipts. Kinney added that he spoke with Kathy Dohrman, and she said she had not kept them. Lindemann suggested the city request an itemized statement.

The board discussed personnel in a closed session.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net