Berryville council OKs sewer rate increase

Sewer rates are going up in Berryville.

At its Sept. 17 meeting, the Berryville City Council approved three readings of an ordinance that will increase sewer rates for customers inside the city limits.

The council then voted to adopt the emergency clause. City administrative assistant Jay Lee said the new rates will appear on bills for November usage, which will be due in December.

The new rate schedule sets the minimum charge at $13.70 for the first 2,000 gallons, $4.90 per 1,000 gallons for the next 8,000 gallons, $4.60 per 1,000 gallons for the next 90,000 gallons and $3.65 per 1,000 gallons over 100,000 gallons.

The ordinance cites increased operational costs for the sewer department as well as the likelihood of a mandatory rate increase after a pending rate study.

Mayor Tim McKinney said increasing rates was “the responsible thing,” for the city to do.

The council also approved a resolution of intent for the city to issue revenue bonds estimated at $70 million to finance an industrial project in the city’s business park. The bonds would be repaid by a company that would lease space in the business park from the city.

The project may be exempt from property tax, the resolution says. In such case the company may pay the city 35 percent of the amount that would be due if the project were subject to property taxes.

City officials have been working for several months to secure an agreement with the company, which they have not identified. The resolution refers to the project as “Bakers Dozen” and to the company as “Company Confidential.” The project initially proposes to create up to 27 jobs, according to the resolution.

Council members Linda Riddlesperger, Max Nichols and Ashley Sharp all voted in favor of both the sewer rate increase and the resolution regarding the bond issue. Council member Jason Williams was absent.

Police chief Robert Bartos presented his monthly report to the council.

In August, Bartos said the Berryville Police Department issued 89 citations, down from 102 in August 2023. Those citations included 14 for no child safety restraint and 12 for speeding.

Bartos said there were 70 offenses reported in August, a decline from 85 the previous year. Those included six cases of burglary or breaking and entering and six cases of theft. The department cleared 59 offices, a clearance rate of 84 percent.

Police responded to 15 accidents in August, down from 18 the year before. The department took in $590 in fines and bonds for the month.

The city’s sales tax receipts increased by 4 percent in August 2024 over the same month in 2023, from $179,924.48 to $187,213.25. The majority of that money — $137,872.72 — was deposited into the city’s general fund.

The Berryville City Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at City Hall.