Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Second reading of sales tax ordinance change scheduled for March 18
Officially, city water rates will increase by $16.50 per meter each month, effective April 1. The declaration was made at the city commission’s March 4 meeting.
Commissioners approved the first reading of the revised sales tax ordinance as well. A special meeting has been set for March 18 at 8 a.m. to conduct the second reading of the ordinance. Provided that the second reading is approved, the extra one-half percent will be effective April 1. In the instances of odd numbered dollars, such as $1.00, the sales tax is rounded up to the nearest penny. Therefore, a customer would pay $1.08 for a $1.00 item under the proposed rate of 7.5 percent (5 percent state + 2.5 percent city).
The commission also approved the first reading of an ordinance that requires any user within 200 feet of a city water line to connect to city service. This ordinance is a requirement for USDA-RD funding, as it ensures that all potential new properties built will utilize the city’s infrastructure and contribute toward loan repayment through user fees.
The commission held a special meeting on Thursday, March 7 to consult with Interstate Engineering on the water infrastructure project. Commissioners were asked to approve the plans and specifications for the first phase, which involves replacement of water mains and installation of valley gutters, so that a solicitation for bids can be published as soon as March 18. The bids will be opened in early April.
Discussion ensued on the city’s sanitation contract and Auditor George Ritzke’s recommendation that rates increase. The contract with Waste Management cost the city $229,000 in 2018, and the sanitation fund ended the year with a deficit of $10,000. Ritzke projects that the deficit for 2019 will be nearly double that, or $19,000. Commissioner Justin Ystaas suggested that the commission consider soliciting bids for sanitation services to see if another company would do the work for less. Hirchert offered to do some research and contact other cities who have solicited bids recently.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to continue running water to avoid freezing pipes as the cold weather drags on. Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert said that the cost to run water for a few minutes a day is much less than the expense to thaw out and replace pipes that have frozen and/or burst. Residents should also keep fire hydrants and natural gas service free of snow and ice.
Eddy-New Rockford Library officials submitted a request to have their light fixtures upgraded to LED. The cost, per a quote from Taverna Electric, is $1,470 to replace the ballasts with LED lamps in approximately 20 fixtures at the downtown library. The commission approved the request.
The state Arbor Day celebration will be held Wednesday, May 29. New Rockford will host the statewide event. More details to come as plans are finalized.
The next regular meeting is set for Monday, April 1 at 7 p.m.
