During a recent meeting of the East Liverpool Board of Public Utilities, board member Tim Clark said he would like to see a sewer rate increase put in place by March. With sewer rates being an assessment an increase would have to be approved by the city council.

According to Clark there is $586,595.18 in the General Fund; $1,436,744.82 in the R&I Fund; $1,012,697.73 in the Sewer Equipment Fund; and $778,664.04 in the Wastewater Fund and that with what was outgoing the Wastewater Department was facing a shortage. The Sewer Equipment Fund is in arrears once allocating funds for a sewer project.

Clark said that was concerning and there would probably be a rate increase needed. Clark also said there were a lot of changes he would like to make to the appropriations but they would need to talk about that. He also said colossal mistakes have been being made for years –going back to the 1990s –with some of the money set aside in some of the accounts and that needs to fixed.

Water Superintendent Paul McCarthy told the board he renewed his Class III operator’s license and his Class I sewer license, and they are good until Dec. 31, 2026.

McCarthy updated the board on repairs done and being done at the water plant and noted that there are some significant issues being faced by the department with one of the issues being identifying as lead and copper pipes.

There are 50 commercial surveys that will need to be completed by the Water Department. McCarthy suggests possibly training someone to do the surveys both commercial and residential.

Clark said that was discussed earlier in the day during an interview with a potential employee and the board believes that they need another employee and talked about what they can do to get one. He doesn’t believe they will be able to hire anyone by Jan. 1 but possibly by March 1.

“The budget is our concern,” Clark said. “We have quite a few things coming at us and I don’t know if we can put another $70,000 to it.”

Clark also noted that the plan is to put a meter inspector in place and turn the back flow surveys over to them along with other duties and looking at meter inspectors would be a priority for January’s board meeting.

Wastewater Superintendent Dave Freeman requested approval to seek quotes on a variety of items including refurbishing the blowers, flood valves, tinting windows of the lab for safety reasons, a spare pump and motor, replacing the doors on the various buildings for the department and other items, so they would have an idea on what the items would cost when the funds are available.

Board member Ray Sullivan told him it never hurts to get quotes and would help them prioritize what needs done.

Freeman also sought and was granted approval to spend approximately $1,100 to have one of the department’s trucks fixed.

Freeman asked Clark and Sullivan if they had given any more thought to a utilities director because he knows a lot of the items he brings to the board monthly could be handled on a day-to-day basis if they had one.

Clark told him money was the issue. Sullivan said he was always available for a phone for any advice he could provide Freeman.

Line Foreman Jayson Jackson was not present at the meeting to give a report.

The board members entered an executive session to discuss personnel matters and returned to an open meeting with no action taken.

The Board of Public Utilities meets the third Thursday of each month at 2 p.m., in the council chambers at East Liverpool City Hall. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 19.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com