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Sherman village board approves sewer rate
ordinance
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board on Tuesday night approved a sewer rate ordinance that will increase rates,
though the board did not pass on the entire increase passed onto them by the Springfield Metro Sanitary
District.
SMSD will increase their rates May 1 around 30 percent, which will cost the Village of Sherman about
$41,000 more every year, according to Village Engineer Dave Booher.
Other 2010 expenses are expected to remain the same, though outside service costs have decreased (no
bills from Petersburg Plumbing and Heating since June, for example, since the Public Works Department is
able to do much more of the work in-house).
The existing rates are $11.18 for the first 2000 gallons and $3.75 for each additional 1000 gallons, with the
average bill running around $21.30 per month.
The new ordinance, which passed 5-0 (Schultz absent), will set the rates at $12.52 per month for the first
2000 gallons and $4.05 for each additional 1000 gallons, a total increase of around 10 percent (the average
bill is now expected to run about $23.46 per month).
According to Booher’s figures, the new rate will maintain the existing $100,000 balance in the Sewer
Revenue Fund and will continue to fund the Sewer Bond and Interest Fund at the rate of $62000 per month
($74,400 per year).
The new rate also assumes water usage in 2010 will remain similar to 2008 and 2009.
The rates will be effective April 1, so the Village will be able to pay the May increase with the higher rates.
Mayor Trevor Clatfelter acknowledged that no one wants to raise the rates, but the village needed to move
forward and pass on some of the increase.
The meeting started with the board honoring the recent third place finish by the junior high boys basketball
team at the state 3A tournament; all the players, head coach Terry Casson and assistant coach Doug Houser
received certificates from Clatfelter honoring them for their accomplishments.
Booher started his report with a conversation about the possible use of LED lights in the newest
subdivision, Prairie Lake Estates.
The developer was not required by the village to install those lights at various locations within the
subdivision, though the board discussed putting the more energy-efficient lights in, on a trial basis, to see
how much energy (and therefore, money) could be saved.
However, each of the eight planned LEDs cost $528, which would run the village over $4200, an amount
that Clatfelter said he was not comfortable with in the current economic situation.
Preliminary estimates discovered that it would take some 13 years for the lights to pay for themselves,
based on 10 hours/day usage estimates and 10 cents per kilowatt/hour costs.
There could be requirements for future developments regarding more energy-efficient lights, noted
Clatfelter, though nothing was finalized at the meeting.
Booher also discussed various drainage issues in the village before advancing to the Sewer Rate
Ordinance.
In Village Administrator John Swinford’s report, he reminded the board, and residents, that March is the
beginning of burning season; days allowed are Wednesdays and the first and third weekends.
If wind speeds are greater than 14 miles per hour, no burning will be allowed.
Trustee Krista Sherrock mentioned that census forms should arrive in residents’ mailboxes around March
15-17; census workers will also be at the village hall from Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8-11 a.m.
and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. from March 19-April 19 to provide assistance to residents.
There is also a Census Committee meeting March 8 at 6 p.m.
There was one building permit, according to Trustee Nancy Zibutis, worth $880.
Emergency Management Director Mike Moos said that this is Severe Weather Preparedness Week. He
also is in the process of teaching a HazMat (hazardous materials) class to Swinford and the Public Works
employees as well.
Public Works Director Sean Newton mentioned in his report that limb pickup will start next month.
The meeting lasted just under 80 minutes.
ordinance
By Byron Painter
Editor
The Sherman Village Board on Tuesday night approved a sewer rate ordinance that will increase rates,
though the board did not pass on the entire increase passed onto them by the Springfield Metro Sanitary
District.
SMSD will increase their rates May 1 around 30 percent, which will cost the Village of Sherman about
$41,000 more every year, according to Village Engineer Dave Booher.
Other 2010 expenses are expected to remain the same, though outside service costs have decreased (no
bills from Petersburg Plumbing and Heating since June, for example, since the Public Works Department is
able to do much more of the work in-house).
The existing rates are $11.18 for the first 2000 gallons and $3.75 for each additional 1000 gallons, with the
average bill running around $21.30 per month.
The new ordinance, which passed 5-0 (Schultz absent), will set the rates at $12.52 per month for the first
2000 gallons and $4.05 for each additional 1000 gallons, a total increase of around 10 percent (the average
bill is now expected to run about $23.46 per month).
According to Booher’s figures, the new rate will maintain the existing $100,000 balance in the Sewer
Revenue Fund and will continue to fund the Sewer Bond and Interest Fund at the rate of $62000 per month
($74,400 per year).
The new rate also assumes water usage in 2010 will remain similar to 2008 and 2009.
The rates will be effective April 1, so the Village will be able to pay the May increase with the higher rates.
Mayor Trevor Clatfelter acknowledged that no one wants to raise the rates, but the village needed to move
forward and pass on some of the increase.
The meeting started with the board honoring the recent third place finish by the junior high boys basketball
team at the state 3A tournament; all the players, head coach Terry Casson and assistant coach Doug Houser
received certificates from Clatfelter honoring them for their accomplishments.
Booher started his report with a conversation about the possible use of LED lights in the newest
subdivision, Prairie Lake Estates.
The developer was not required by the village to install those lights at various locations within the
subdivision, though the board discussed putting the more energy-efficient lights in, on a trial basis, to see
how much energy (and therefore, money) could be saved.
However, each of the eight planned LEDs cost $528, which would run the village over $4200, an amount
that Clatfelter said he was not comfortable with in the current economic situation.
Preliminary estimates discovered that it would take some 13 years for the lights to pay for themselves,
based on 10 hours/day usage estimates and 10 cents per kilowatt/hour costs.
There could be requirements for future developments regarding more energy-efficient lights, noted
Clatfelter, though nothing was finalized at the meeting.
Booher also discussed various drainage issues in the village before advancing to the Sewer Rate
Ordinance.
In Village Administrator John Swinford’s report, he reminded the board, and residents, that March is the
beginning of burning season; days allowed are Wednesdays and the first and third weekends.
If wind speeds are greater than 14 miles per hour, no burning will be allowed.
Trustee Krista Sherrock mentioned that census forms should arrive in residents’ mailboxes around March
15-17; census workers will also be at the village hall from Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8-11 a.m.
and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. from March 19-April 19 to provide assistance to residents.
There is also a Census Committee meeting March 8 at 6 p.m.
There was one building permit, according to Trustee Nancy Zibutis, worth $880.
Emergency Management Director Mike Moos said that this is Severe Weather Preparedness Week. He
also is in the process of teaching a HazMat (hazardous materials) class to Swinford and the Public Works
employees as well.
Public Works Director Sean Newton mentioned in his report that limb pickup will start next month.
The meeting lasted just under 80 minutes.
Issue Date: March 4, 2010