County sewer rates to increase soon

CELINA - Sewer rates are set to rise in the coming months for roughly 2,400 customers in various sewer districts.

Mercer County commissioners on Thursday approved county sanitary director Kent Hinton's request to bump up rates based on the Consumer Price Index and escalating costs.

"Due to the increase in labor cost, additional requirements from the Ohio (Environmental Protection Agency) and ever-increasing repair costs, the Mercer County Sanitary Department is seeking to increase the sewer operating and maintenance portion of the bill by 2.3% … effective April 1, 2020," Hinton wrote in a letter to commissioners.

Users in the Philothea, Montezuma Club Island, Wagner (rural Coldwater and Celina), Wagner Annex (corner of state Route 118 and St. Anthony Road), Silver Lakes (29 West), West Jefferson, Lange Road (south of St. Henry), Country Time (U.S. 127 north of Celina) and Celina Mendon sewer districts will be affected.

Depending on the district, users are charged monthly or quarterly. Rates are set per equivalent dwelling unit with a typical house considered one EDU. Apartments, businesses and restaurants could be considered two or more EDUs.

Users in Philothea, Montezuma Club Island, Wagner Annex, West Jefferson, Lange Road II and Celina Mendon sewer districts also pay a separate fee due to loans the county obtained to build the systems.

The rates will change as follows:

• Philothea - Rates will increase from $25.50 to $26.10 per month. With a debt retirement fee of $21, users will pay a total bill of $47.10 per EDU.

• Montezuma Club Island - Rates will rise from $76.30 to $78.05 per quarter. With a debt retirement fee of $7.80, users will pay a total bill of $85.85 per EDU.

• Wagner - Rates will rise from $64.40 to $65.90 per EDU, to be assessed quarterly. The district has no debt retirement fee.

• Wagner Annex - Rates will rise from $64.40 to $65.90 per EDU quarterly. With a debt retirement fee of $118.50, users will pay a total bill of $184.40 per EDU.

• Silver Lakes - Rates will rise from $58.70 to $60.05 per EDU, to be assessed quarterly.

• West Jefferson - Rates will rise from $58.70 to $60.05 per EDU quarterly. With a debt retirement fee of $138, users will pay a total bill of $198.05 per EDU.

• Lange Road I - Rates will rise from $3.25 to $3.30 per EDU, to be assessed quarterly.

• Lange Road II - Rates will increase from $3.25 to $3.30 quarterly. With a debt retirement fee of $166.26, users will pay a total bill of $169.56 per EDU.

• Country Time - Rates will increase from $96.45 to $98.70 per EDU, to be assessed quarterly.

• Celina Mendon - Rates will increase from $87 to $89 per quarter. With a debt retirement fee of $84, users will pay a total bill $173 per EDU.