St. Albans Council has approved a 15 percent increase in the city's water rate for the financial year that begins July 1.
The average residential customer's monthly bill will increase from $27. 37 to $31.50 per month, said Michael Griffith, the city's accountant.
The minimum bill will increase from $20.60 to $23.70 per month.
Councilman-at-large John Caudill IV said that even with the increase, the city's water rate is significantly lower than West Virginia American Water Co.'s rate.
Griffith said that for the financial year that begins July 1, the combined water and sewer budget will be $6.3 million and the storm water budget will be $370,000.
The current year's combined water and sewer budget is $6 million and the storm water budget is $377,500.
Griffith said the sewer system's cash position is good but the water system is losing customers and usage is declining.
The water and sewer rates will be considered by the Municipal Utility Commission later this month. Griffith said the commission could come back to the council as soon as next month to ask for an additional rate increase.
"How much in capital improvement projects are you going to undertake in the next year or two?" he asked. "That will be the final determining factor in rates."
In other action, council acted to balance the city's current year municipal budget - which ends June 30 - by moving $175,000 from the mayor's office to the police department. Prior to the meeting Mayor Dick Callaway said in an email that the move was made because the police department went over budget.
The revised mayor's office budget is $924,384 and the revised police department budget is $2 million, Callaway said.
Budget revisions often occur at this time of year. Municipalities are required to operate with balanced budgets.
Also on Monday, council agreed to purchase playground equipment totaling $7,729 from Hayneedle Inc., a supplier of furniture and outdoor equipment headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
Council also agreed to purchase fire hose for $6,660 from Finley Fire Equipment of McConnelsville, Ohio, and to pay current invoices, which total $32,907.
As is customary each year, council approved free pool passes for full- and part-time employees.
Council re-appointed Allan McVey to the Planning and Zoning Commission and re-appointed Steve Zubrzycki to the Police Civil Service Commission. Mayor Callaway proposed the re-appointments.
With Callaway standing by, police Capt. James Agree presented retiring Lt. David Harris with a plaque in recognition of Harris' 27 years of service. Agee also presented Harris with his service weapon.
"It's been an honor and a privilege, it truly has," Harris said to a standing ovation.
Ward 7 Councilman Desper Lemon, who is vice-mayor, presided over the meeting because Callaway had laryngitis.
During announcements, Lemon said city and Municipal Utility Commission offices will be closed on Monday, June 20, in observance of West Virginia Day.
Ward 2 Councilman Jason Philabaun said there will be a Father-Daughter dance from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at St. Albans High School. Everyone is invited, he said. The dance is sponsored by the St. Albans Parks and Recreation Department.
Philabaun also said the next movie night will be June 18 at Roadside Park, beginning at dark.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Cheryl Thomas said the Ward 4 Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Mayberry's. She said the St. Albans Night Out, which will be Aug. 2, will be discussed.
Ward 6 Councilwoman Loretta Griffith said the Hansford Senior Center's annual Father's Day program and luncheon will be on June 17. She also said an asphalt pad is in place for a picnic shelter at the center and the shelter is on order.
During the public forum, Lorie Johnson complained that Ward 5 Councilman Christopher Withrow has been bullying people by posting photos of uncut grass on Facebook. Withrow said 85 percent of the people who posted comments agreed with him.
Tim Lacy of Greenbrier Street said he has been cutting grass in a cul-de-sac near his home for many years but recently received two tickets for parking there. Lacy asked where he should park.
City attorney Charles Riffee suggested Lacy talk to the chief of police and Lemon suggested he take photos and bring them to the next meeting of the Public Safety Committee. Council recently passed an ordinance outlawing parking in cul-de-sacs.
Councilman-at-large John Boles Jr., who has health issues, did not attend Monday's meeting.
Council's next meeting would normally be on June 20, the third Monday of the month. But because that is West Virginia Day, the next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, on the second floor of the municipal building at 51 Sixth Ave.