Water rates to increase by one-third for Mound City residents

By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY - In a special session on Wednesday, April 9, the Mound City Council approved an ordinance that would increase the charge to city residents for water by $2.60 per 1,000 gallons, a nearly 33% increase. City officials pointed to a recent increase in wholesale cost by Public Wholesale Water Supply District (PWWSD) No. 13 from $5.90 to $7.50 per 1,000 gallons.

For customers living outside of city limits but who purchase water from the city, the rate per 1,000 gallons will increase from $9 to $11.60.

The increases in water rates go into effect immediately.

Representatives from PWWSD No. 13 have indicated that the increase in water rates is because of increased costs in system maintenance. Mound City joins Blue Mound in having to increase water rates because of PWWSD No. 13’s increase. Officials in Parker have warned meter holders that increases for that city are imminent.

Proposed flowers for the Cultivate Kindness Garden that will be bult west of the grocery store on Main St. (Brody Clark / JLHS student)

The Mound City Council voted at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 1, to increase the water rates. The council passed an ordinance at the April 9 special meting to also voted to make it official.

Delays in first-class mail have been plaguing cities that send out water bills in the mail. To help ease the situation that can lead to more late fees, the council voted to extend the due date for utility bills to the 16th of each month.

At the April 1 meeting, the council heard a request by developers Jackie and Erick Goff to combine lots at 411 N. Third St. and 415 No. Third St. into a single lot. At the council’s March meeting Erick Goff said they plan taking down dilapidated homes and building new, moderately priced homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range.

They also asked the city to condemn current structures on those properties in hopes of getting dumping fees waived by the county. They were directed to contact the county about combining the lots. 

In a related matter, Gabe Cotter spoke with the council about his recent purchase of 103 Main St. and his interest in splitting the lots on that property. The council unanimously approved the split.

Mike Denman approached the council about serving as a camp host at the city lake on a month-to-month basis for free. The council approved the proposal but plans to look at the camping reservations and revenue vs. costs during that period.

The council discussed the city’s ordinance regarding campground regulations and the fines for those in violation of this ordinance. Councilmember Cody Beckman recommended the following fines: first offense, $100; second offense, $250; and third offense, $500. The issue was tabled to allow City Attorney Mark Hagen time to revise it. 

Shayna Lamb presented the designs for the community garden, deemed the Cultivate Kindness Garden, to the council. The council approved the garden to be located in the park west of the Food Fair with the understanding that the city will not be responsible to any maintenance of the garden. For more information, go to the garden’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/cultivatekindnessgarden .

In other business the council:

• Discussed the calendar of events. There was discussion about the fishing derby coming up on May 3. City Clerk Shelby Murray will order trophies and start working on a flyer for the event. The city’s Easter egg hunt is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19.

• Discussed running an ad in the paper for one week for a summer hire for the public works department. Council tabled the discussion on the summer hire. 

• Approved per diem expenses in the amount of $238 for city codes officer Jacob Bush to attend the annual KACE conference and per diem in the amount of $170 for Police Chief Paul McKee to attend the annual Sheriffs Spring Training.