Some Grayville residents will see higher sewer rates at the end of September. Adjustments to rates were approved at Monday night’s council meeting. Mayor Travis Thompson explains the city is going after a grant that would allow Grayville to update it’s sewer lagoon and system. As part of that process, rates have to meet minimums for that grant to be awarded.
So in order for us to be able to apply for the DCEO (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) grant for the lagoon, our minimum for 5,000 gallons on sewer must be 1% of our median income. That means our 5,000 gallon minimum should be $44.98. So what we have proposed is to keep the first 1,000 gallons of your minimum in city limits at $6.12 so if you’re never exceeding the minimum, you’re not going to see an increase. And then, outside the city limits, it stays at $9.18. But then for gallons 2,000-4,000 it goes up to $7.30 for inside city limits and $10.95 for outside city limits. Then when you get to 5,000 gallons or more, it drops back down to $6.12 inside city limits and $9.18 for outside, thus meeting the $44.98 minimum that DCEO requires but also keeping the cost to the citizens as low as possible.
Those new rates will take effect on September 30th.
Also Monday night, Commissioner Don Baldwin asked fellow council members to take action with a letter to the Department of Conservation in the hopes of getting some answers with regards to the Wabash River boat ramp.
I would like to see the city write a letter to the Department of Conservation to see what is going to happen to our boat ramp down at the interstate. Currently, there’s a whole lot of speculation. One guy says nothings going to happen. Another guy says oh yea, we’re gonna take that out; we’re gonna shut the roads down. And my understanding is the Department of Conservation put the boat ramp in and the City of Grayville is supposed to maintain it. Well if they replace the east bound bridge like I heard they’re going to, it’ll take out the boat ramp. So that would leave us with no boat ramps available. We have several commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, people who just like to get out on the river, plus if there’s ever an emergency like an oil leak or whatever, the only place we’d be able to get in the river is at Mt. Carmel or at New Harmony.
Baldwin in his report also said he told citizens he’d bring up at the council meeting the storage of campers in the downtown area. He says several folks have asked why campers and boats are being stored on lots that people own that aren’t at their houses. There was no action discussed on those topics following Baldwin’s report. Commissioner Chris James said the cemetery road has been completed and is ready for use.
Grayville will spend $34,500 out of Motor Fuel Tax funds as their part of an IDOT project along Route 1 at the North Street intersection. The project won’t even be bid until next March so there’s still some time before it gets underway.
Council also went through their first reading of Ordinance 962 which will establish a Business District in Grayville following a public hearing held prior to the regular session.
In Chief Robert Hatcher’s report, Grayville Police responded to 233 calls for service in August, made 8 arrests, issued 22 citations, and gave out 8 written warnings. Hatcher also says the USDA grant for the new squad car has been approved. The vehicle is currently awaiting install of necessary equipment.
Council adjourned just after 7:23pm.
