EPA, DNR say Ottumwa must revise sewer rates

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

OTTUMWA — Time is running out on some water meters in town and if city officials want more time then all meters have to pay.

Clear as spinning dials?

At Monday’s meeting, the Ottumwa City Council discussed base sewer rates for non-metered, multiple-unit dwellings. Public Works Director Larry Seals said he needed a resolution to develop the language for revising the existing ordinance on sewer rates.

Seals brought the matter to council after the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Region 7 of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told city staffers the 20-year financial model for the base sewer rates was inaccurate.

“Currently in the city, multiple-unit dwellings with one water master meter are only being charged the base rate of $11 for sewer usage,” Seals said. “At their request, staff reviewed the number of multiple-unit dwellings versus water meters.”

Staff discovered 1,485 units with only 469 meters servicing these locations. If the city charged a base rate for each unit, the change would generate an additional $134,000 per year for sewer fees.

Seals said city staff proposed revising the language or creating a new ordinance that would “address the base rate for sewer usage for multiple-unit dwellings.”

Councilman Keith Caviness didn’t like it. He objected to the “highway robbery” and called it “taxation without representation.”

“A unit is a unit,” he added.

State and federal officials said the city “wasn’t maximizing the money available and wasn’t running the utility correctly,” Seals said.

Councilman Bob Meyers wondered why it’s unfair to increase the rate for those not paying.

“That was unfair to those who are paying for their usage,” he said.

Ted Payseur of Veenstra & Kimm Engineering, West Des Moines, said residential water users cover 50 percent of wastewater costs and pay 60 percent of the money coming in. Commercial users are paying 45 percent on wastewater and paying 37 percent of the money.

“Look at the disparity. Commercial should pay more,” he added.

“I think the DNR is leveraging their authority to see how much they can get,” Caviness said. “If we endorse this, people renting will pay more.”

Payseur said some cities have “lifeline rates,” or other funds, to help people with utility problems.

Councilwoman Shannon Addison wondered who would oversee rental complexes to make sure the landlords correct the meters.

Seals said the landlords will have to come in for a plumbing change permit.

“The DNR is demanding a short-term agreement — raise rates or find more people to pay,” Caviness said. “We’re doing a good job here. We’re not sitting on our thumbs. Will this [resolution] bring forth a plan?”

Seals said his resolution wasn’t “the final deal.”

Aistrope said the city has to re-cast the financial model in the information the city gave to the DNR.

Uehling said the resolution would authorize staff to move ahead, develop the language needed and revise the existing ordinance.

“With DNR and EPA, we have to choose our battles carefully. This isn’t the one to pick,” Aistrope said.

In the end, the council unanimously passed Seals’ request.

Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.