Lima council discusses water rates

LIMA — Lima director of utilities Mike Caprella said a minimal increase to water rates is normal every year.

But Lima City Council approved a communication for an adjustment in rates to increase along those lines over the next three years Monday night.

“We have a water plant we have to support that pumps water 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we have to pay the unionized employees,” Caprella said. “We also use a lot of chemicals, and those prices have gone up over the past few years. As long as we can stay ahead of the curve it pays for a lot of that.”

Caprella said council asked the utilities department to increase rates steadily by one dollar every year for the average user for the next three years rather than to wait for a spike in prices four or five years down the road.

Council also passed resolutions to sell naming rights for the coming Lima Community Aquatic Park to Visit Greater Lima, thanking deputy public works director Ric Stolly and Visit director Betsy Billingsley.

Finance director Meri Foster shared a mid-year financial update with council with council adjusting this year’s budget according to her recommendations.

Foster and Mayor Sharetta Smith authorized appropriations totaling $409,917.62 to go to the police and fire budgets for both salaries and pensions.

Council adjourned to executive session to continue discussions on an appointment to the vacant fourth ward seat for the night.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.