A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Vice Mayor Byington explained that this is a second reading of an ordinance to make modest increases in the rates for Oakwood water and stormwater utility services. These new rates would be effective January 1, 2017.

The city operates four services as public utilities: water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and refuse. Each of these services are supported entirely by user fees and not by general tax revenues. In order to meet operational and capital needs for the water and stormwater utilities, the City Manager has recommended rate increases and the elimination of certain credits for the water utility and a rate increase for the stormwater utility. In summary, and for the standard 5/8 inch residential water meter, which represents 84% of Oakwood customers, the water fee changes include:

• Increasing the monthly water minimum use charge from $8.15 to $10;
• Increasing the water consumption rate charge by 2.3%;
• Eliminating the minimum-use credit; and
• Eliminating the 5% early payment discount.

For the typical usage of 1,000 cubic feet per month, the water fee changes would increase the monthly bill by about $7.40.

For the stormwater utility, the City Manager has recommended increasing the monthly residential stormwater management fee from $6 to $7.

These changes were presented to the citizen Budget Review Committee as part of the 2017 budget briefing on October 18, and the committee’s response was positive. It is important to note that the stormwater rate has not been increased since 2013, when the stormwater utility was first established. Oakwood water rates have not been increased since 1994 and will remain among the very lowest in the region. Last year Oakwood water rates were the third lowest of the 66 jurisdictions in the Miami Valley. With the rate increase, Oakwood will have the ninth lowest of the 66 jurisdictions.

Thereupon, it was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the ordinance be passed.

Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:

There being four (4) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said ordinance was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Mr. Stephens explained that this is a first reading of an ordinance that will put temporary safety measures in place for the Oakwood 2017 Shroyer Road Improvement Project. It does three things:

• Declares Shroyer Road as a “work zone” for the duration of the project;
• Reduces the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph during the project; and
• Allows the Oakwood Municipal Court to impose double fines for speed violations in the work zone.