While rates technically haven’t changed, water bills in Akron have gone up.
Because of an October order from the public service department, each Akron water customer is paying $3 more a year in billing fees. The fee increase went into effect Jan. 1.
In rolling out the 2017 operating budget earlier this month, Finance Director Diane Miller-Dawson said Mayor Dan Horrigan’s administration is committed to keeping sewer and water rates — not fees — flat through 2020, even as the city finances millions of dollars for a combined water and sewer project.
Along with rates, the billing and other administrative fees give the city options to increase revenue for the water department. With 85,211 customers, the city stands to collect $255,633 more than it did last year by increasing the billing fee.
The increase equates to 25 cents a month per customer, a small increase but enough to catch the eye of city resident Wayne Darlington, who voiced his surprise during a public comment period at the most recent City Council meeting this week.
“Now, even Time Warner Cable, who’s not the most-liked utility in the world, will at least take the time, as they did this month, to tell you that your bill is going to go up next month,” said Darlington, the executive director of the Summit County Republican Party.
Darlington, a longtime critic of the Democrat-controlled city government, commended the new administration for being more transparent than the last. But he noted that actions like increasing service costs without giving notice can undermine any newfound trust in city hall.
Ellen Lander Nischt, a spokesperson for Horrigan, said the February water bill will include a belated explanation about the increase.
According to city law, the administration reserves the right to increase fees on water bills without council’s approval. Sewer bill increases, however, require council’s consent. The decision to increase the water bill fee was made by Service Director John Moore, who said he does not anticipate another administrative fee increase for the next three years.
Doug Livingston can be reached at 330-996-3792 or dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @ABJDoug .