Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
Water and Wastewater Rates – In 2024 the city council commissioned a cost of service and rate design study for the operations of our water and wastewater systems. The link below will take you to the full report.
The study forecasts water and wastewater costs from FY2024–2028, recommends rate adjustments to ensure financial stability, and emphasizes regular reviews. It highlights current rate structures, including fixed and volumetric charges, and notes that wastewater billing covers about 75.6% of water use. The analysis uses cash basis methodology, with plans for rate and reserve management. The Budget approved by Council is based on the recommendations of this study.
It is crucial for policymakers and the public to understand that the costs associated with water and wastewater services encompass several components:
Raw Water Costs: The city purchases water from the Franklin County Water District.
Treatment of Raw Water: This includes expenses related to chemicals, personnel, plant operations and maintenance, regulatory compliance, and utilities.
Water Distribution: Costs here cover the infrastructure such as pipes, maintenance, pumps, utilities, and meters.
Wastewater Collection: This involves collection lines, maintenance, pumps, lift stations, personnel costs, and utilities.
Treatment and Discharge of Wastewater: Associated expenses include chemicals, manpower, testing, pumps, utilities, and regulatory compliance.
Additionally, capital costs for replacement and improvements must be factored in, along with inflationary pressures that affect these expenses. Providing water and wastewater services to residential customers is like offering utility services like electricity or natural gas. However, there is often an expectation that water and wastewater costs should be significantly lower than those of other utilities simply because they are provided by the city. While the city does not operate for profit, the cost of these services continues to rise.
City staff have implemented several strategies to keep utility costs as low as possible. Since 2022, the city has nearly eliminated the use of contractors for repairs and maintenance, with these tasks now being handled by the public works staff, despite a reduction in the total number of employees. Contractors are only engaged for major projects, such as the installation of the new raw water line connecting the pumps at Lake Cypress to the water treatment plant.
It's important to note that residential and commercial water bills encompass charges for various services, including water service, wastewater service, stormwater fees, and garbage collection. Therefore, the bill reflects more than just the provision of water.
Here's the attachment as a link for your review:
Mt Vernon Report Rate Study Report - FINAL.pdf
The utility staff is preparing for CountryFest, making necessary repairs to water lines, identifying, clearing public right of ways, assisting with repairs and renovations at the animal shelter, and locating valves and connections to ensure adequate flow and quality water. They have delayed the excavation of the swimming pool until mid-October. This will allow the use of the splash pad for CountryFest.