The Wayland City Council Monday night adopted a local fireworks ordinance and a capital improvements project plan through 2024.
Council members were seizing on the idea it is better to raise sewer rates by smaller amounts over time to fund improvements than to allow them to remain the same before absorbing a huge increase all at once.
City Manager Josh Eggleston, Department of Public Works Directors Ben Batchelder, City Engineer Mickey Bittner. Treasurer Cherie Parrish and representatives from consultants from the city’s advisors have been working on a comprehensive plan.
Advisor Andy Campbell said, “You’ve had no rate increases in nine years, but your system is aging (therefore needing improvements). Capital improvements are stacking up on the sewer side.”
“This has been several years in the making,” Bittner told the council. “This goes out to 2024. The intent is to give the city a good road map to the future.
Campbell told the council prospects are not good for Wayland down the road to get state or federal grants to fund repairs or improvements. He did say the more likely option is to seek state or federal low-interest loans.
He noted that Wayland presently charges an average of $28.49 per moth per household, which is well below the medium ranges of charges nationwide, pegged at between $35 and $55.
If Wayland decides to seek a loan, it’s likely, according to plan, that residents will pay $34.74 in the first year, $38.86 in the second, $41.99 in the third and $45.11 in the fourth.
Campbell and his comrades identified more than $4 million in funding improvement needs and the current sewer fund shows about $725,000.
Councilman Rick Mathis commented, “I think we all know that the cost of not doing anything.”
Eggleston added, “Not raising the rates a little bit every year doesn’t do anybody any favors.”
The council also voted 5-1 to adopt a local fireworks ordinance that matches the dates permitted by the states, a total of 12 annually. Councilman Tim Rose voted against it. Councilwoman Lisa Banas was absent.
“This is something the state put out there and they did a poor job,” Rose explained.
Police Chief Mark Garnsey, however, opined that if the council doesn’t proceed with the ordinance, it would “open the door to 24/7 legal fireworks” 365 days a year.
Eggleston added, “The city ordinance can be tailored specifically to what you want.”
In other business the council agreed to purchase a new DPW truck from the local K & M Dodge dealership and a new Gator.