Sangamon Sun

City of Athens City Council met April 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Dowell welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7pm at Athens City Hall. He thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. All stood, faced the flag, and recited the pledge. Clerk Cindy McFarland called roll. Present were Aldermen: Chris Basso, Larry Buhr, Ron Canterbury, and Tom Croft Sr. Alderman Tom Herman was late to arrive, and Alderman Butch Nichols was absent. Also in attendance was Sergeant Derrick Fritz.

Mayor Dowell asked if everyone had a chance to look over the budget, and if there were any questions. The Mayor said that the budget includes a 3% increase in both water and sewer rates. Mayor Dowell said that Alderman Croft had suggested this increase in the past but that he had talked him out of it. Mayor Dowell said that he wanted to publicly apologize to Alderman Croft for not following through with an increase at that time. He went on to explain that each council member had been provided with a copy of four ordinances along with the library budget. He also thanked Derrick for his hard work in putting the budget together and said that Derrick would also be able to assist with any questions. The ordinances provided were two options for the water rate increase and two options for the sewer rate increase. One option for each was to raise the rates 3% effective June 1, 2019. The other option for each was to increase the rates 3% on June 1, 2019, and a minimum of 2% on May 1 each year thereafter unless otherwise amended by the Athens City Council. Mayor Dowell said that some communities raise the rates 3% every year but 2% would be a little below the annual cost of living increase. He went on to say that we do not want to raise rates unnecessarily, but that we also don't want to find ourselves in this predicament again. Sergeant Fritz said that we should be checking the status of our budget frequently. Mayor Dowell said that we will be reviewing the budget every three months moving forward. He said that he understands that even this small increase will be a hardship for some families and that he really hates to increase the rates but hopes that the community understands that the council will pay the higher rates as well. Derrick explained that the bonds that the council had taken out years ago are catching up with us and even when the bonds are paid off, necessary repairs and upgrading will need to be done at the water and sewer plant. He said that the rate increase would be about $1.50 on a $50 monthly water bill. Mayor Dowell said each rate increase option has pros and cons. Alderman Buhr said we could raise the rate 3% this year and review again next year. Alderman Basso said that if we chose the ordinance increasing 3% this year and then a minimum of 2% subsequent years, this would give the citizens the ability to plan for the yearly increase. Alderman Canterbury agreed that it would be good for the community to know in advance. The council agreed that the option including the rate increase for subsequent years would be the ordinance option to be voted upon.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve a 3% cost of living increase for city employees effective May 1, 2019. Alderman Basso said that it is hard to tell our citizens that we are going to give the employees a raise at the same time that we are raising water and sewer rates, and we also give the employees performance pay increases. Derrick said that we do not pay as much as many other employers and we need to keep our employees, however, we should do them both at the same time at the beginning of the budget year. Mayor Dowell said that we will look into scheduled performance increases and COLAs. Motion made by Alderman Buhr, seconded by Alderman Croft, to approve a 3% cost of living increase for the city employees effective May 1, 2019. Ayes: Buhr, Canterbury, Croft, and Herman. Nays: Basso. Motion passed.

Motion made by Alderman Herman, seconded by Alderman Basso, to approve Ordinance 02 2019 amending City Code 6-2-6, e. The rates established in this section shall increase by three percent (3%) on June 1, 2019, and a minimum of two percent (2%) on May 1 each year thereafter unless otherwise amended by the Athens City Council. All ayes. Motion passed.

Motion made by Alderman Buhr, seconded by Alderman Basso, to approve Ordinance 03-2019 amending City Code 6-3-7, C. The rates established in this section shall increase by three percent (3%) on June 1, 2019, and a minimum of two percent (2%) on May 1 each year thereafter unless otherwise amended by the Athens City Council. All ayes. Motion passed.

Motion made by Alderman Buhr, seconded by Alderman Croft, to approve the passing of the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Budget. All ayes. Motion passed.

Mayor Dowell thanked everyone and asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion made by Alderman Buhr, seconded by Alderman Croft to adjourn at 7:50pm.

https://www.athensil.com/documents/75/April_23_minutes.pdf