Proposal would increase Findlay's water rate by 50%

Findlay's administration laid out its plans Thursday to increase the city's base water rate by 50% in 2024. The proposal was introduced at a meeting of council's Water and Sewer Committee. The new rate would increase monthly water bills between $11.61 and $13.98 each month for a family of three, depending on the home's meter size, or between $139.32 and $167.76 for the year, according to the proposal. Without the rate increase, administrators said the water department will begin operating in the red next year. Findlay's last rate increase was made in 2011. Since 2012, expenses have increased 13%. In 2022 alone, chemical prices rose between 40 to 50%. Through 2031, improvement needs are expected to be more than $50 million. In recent years, Service-Safety Director Rob Martin said about $6.6 million in capital and operating expenses have been eliminated to help balance the books. For now, only a single rate increase is being discussed, as opposed to rate increases over multiple years. The rate increase would address the need for operating revenue until a long-term plan can be developed. Martin said the proposal was held until the city completed the recent water meter project. As the service-safety director, Martin has the authority to raise the city's water rates to keep the department solvent, without council's approval. However, the administration is seeking its support. The committee voted unanimously to recommend that council support the proposal, despite arguments made by city Auditor Jim Staschiak that more information is needed to justify the rate increase. Committee members include Grant Russel, R-at-large, Josh Palmer, R-7, and Randy Greeno, R-at-large. Russel was named chairman, after Greeno announced on Thursday that he was stepping down from post, citing personal reasons. More information about the proposed rated increase is available on the city's website at www.findlayohio.gov