Council to Act on Recommended Water Rate Increase Given Okay by City Utility Board; Hike to Hit in April
By Jeff Toquinto on January 06, 2023 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Back in November, Bridgeport City Manager Brian Newton said a rate increase was on the way for residents and others purchasing water from the city. On Thursday, the proposed increase that will take place was given a green light by the Bridgeport Utility Board.
Now, City Council will be asked to approve the recommended rate increase on the first reading of ordinance at Monday’s meeting. The meeting is set for 7 p.m., Jan. 9, at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex.
It is open to the public.
The rate increase is not arbitrary or to fix any issues in the Bridgeport system. Rather, Bridgeport is one of many municipalities and towns in Harrison County that purchase water from the Clarksburg Water Board (CWB).
Recently, the CWB passed a substantial rate hike as part of a $85.6 million upgrade for upgrades – the replacement of lead pipes in its system – to its system. Because of that, Bridgeport is passing the rate increase it is seeing on to the customers.
In November, Newton said he did not believe the rate hikes were off base from the CWB. However, he did say the city would do its due diligence to determine if that was the case, and on Thursday that promised was followed through.
Michael D. Griffith, CPA, of Griffith & Associates, PLLC, presented a report on the impact and costs needed to cover the increase from the CWB. Griffith said he believed that the city should not object to the increase, but consider joining into any dispute on the matter in the even another city purchasing its water from the CWB would decide to dispute the issue.
The little bit of good news for customers is that they will not see the impact of the rate increase until April, which is actually the bill for water usage in February. City officials said they would absorb the rate increase cost for the month of January.
The increase, according to Griffith’s report, on the statewide average monthly usage of 3,500 gallons is 9.9 percent for residential customers, which comes out to an additional $3.10 per month. The increase is slightly lower for less usage and slightly higher for more usage. Griffith added the average Bridgeport customer uses slightly more than 3,500 gallons so the increase will likely be slightly higher.
The other rate increases are as follows and based on the state average usage and will see different increases based on less or more usage as well: Commercial will be 11.3 percent or $19.42 per month based on average usage of 21,400 gallons per month; public 
authority usage would see a 12.5 percent hike and a monthly increase of $36.32 per month based on average usage of 40,300 gallons per month; and industrial would see a 14.6 percent increase and a price spike of $107.96 per month based on an average usage rate of 119,900 gallons per month.
authority usage would see a 12.5 percent hike and a monthly increase of $36.32 per month based on average usage of 40,300 gallons per month; and industrial would see a 14.6 percent increase and a price spike of $107.96 per month based on an average usage rate of 119,900 gallons per month.
“Bridgeport’s rates are very competitive statewide,” said Griffith, who has done work with the city going back to the time when Joe Timms, a current member of the Bridgeport Utility Board, was mayor.
The second reading of the ordinance should come Jan. 26. After that, the rates will go into place in 45 days pending Council approval.
Council will also be looking at addressing a pair of matters involving Bridgeport Parks and Recreation. One involves upgrading existing property, while the other issue involves acquiring property.
Council will be asked to approve a contract with Cincinnati Floor Company of Ohio to refinish the Citynet Center Gym floor in the amount of $36,882. This comes after two full years of regular use.
According to Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth, there will also be an addition done to the courts. Permanent lines will be added for pickleball “due to the extreme use we have experienced from local and tournament play.” Currently, the facility leaves temporary
lines down on a consistent basis.
lines down on a consistent basis.
The process this time will involve two coats of a waterborne finish. Moving forward, Shuttleworth said the process will be done annually with one coat being added. The cost for this project, paid for by the 1 percent sales tax paid in the city for The Bridge, is $36,882.
As an upgrade is looked at there, an acquisition is being looked at on property abutting the Benedum Civic Center grounds. Council will look to purchase a home and its lot on Worthington Drive in the area near the playground and basketball court. The property, 124 Worthington Drive, will be purchased from John and Eileen Altman.
The cost to acquire the property is $75,000. It will be utilized in part of the master planning to redo the Civic Center grounds, although no plans have been made. The property will be demolished and the city will plant grass and maintain it until a definitive use is determined.
After a presentation at December’s first meeting, Council will be asked to act and approve upgrades and the new City of Bridgeport Safety Manual. Tim Curry, the director of emergency management, worked with a consultant on bringing the manual in line with various national codes.
There are also a handful of appointments to be made, and reappointments, for various city boards Council will be asked to consider. Among those are the reappointment of Jason Snider and appointment of Dawn Onesto to the Emergency Services Council; and the reappointment of Ron Eagle to the Bridgeport Development Authority for a three-year term expiring Jan. 31, 2026.
The final item of business will be to change the date of the first meeting in February. Typically, it would fall on Monday, Feb. 13. However, many Council members will likely be attending the Midwinter Municipal League Conference that falls on February 13-14. Newton was not sure what day Council would consider.
There is no work session for the meeting. There will be a public forum near the start of the meeting for anyone wishing to address the city's governing body.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Michael D. Griffith, CPA, and City Engineer Beth Fox having a light moment during rate increase discussions with the Bridgeport Utility Board Thursday. Mayor Andy Lang is shown making a point during the same meeting, while the entire group is shown in the third photo. Below is the rate sheet as shown in the financial impact study prepared by Griffith.
