Council keeps sewer rates in place

VERMILION — Vermilion city council recently voted to keep the city's sewer rate unchanged while standardizing the rate across the entire community. During a public meeting, council kept the base sewer rate in place, applying that same rate citywide. Based on typical household water use, which can vary, Vermilion residents generally pay between $55 and $88 per month for sewer service. Sewer charges are calculated based on water usage, meaning the sewer portion of a bill still varies depending on how much water a household or business uses. The uniform rate will remain in place unless council votes to revise sewer rates in the future. The action eliminated the separate East Liberty Sewer District rate, which had historically been billed higher than the rest of the city. Looking at East Liberty Prior to the change, council members discussed the East Liberty sewer district during earlier meetings in February. The district generally covers the eastern portion of Vermilion along Liberty Avenue (U.S. 6), extending toward the city's eastern corporation line. Historically, properties in that district had been billed at a slightly higher rate than the rest of the city. Homer Taft, Ward 4 councilman, questioned why the district continued to have a separate charge, noting that the difference appeared tied to older infrastructure debt. "Fair is fair," said Taft, arguing there was no clear reason one part of the city should continue paying more than another if the original purpose of the district rate had already been satisfied. Vermilion service director Tony Valerius said city staff reviewed past rules but could not identify a clear explanation beyond references in older legislation. He said the district's higher charge likely originated as a way to pay off construction-related debt and that percentage increases over time may have raised the rate beyond what was originally intended. Council ultimately voted to eliminate the separate district rate and standardize sewer charges across the entire city. Authority questions also raised During a February meeting, members also raised questions about how authority over sewer rate adjustments is described in the city's codified ordinances. Councilman Greg Drew, Ward 2, later said council approved the ordinance but plans to revisit other sections of city code that address how sewer rates may be adjusted. Those ordinances appear to give administrative authority over the sewer fund to city officials, including the service director. According to Drew, the city's law director determined that the council retains authority to set sewer rates and may delegate that authority through ordinance if it chooses. Council members indicated they may review and clarify those ordinances in the future to avoid confusion about how rate changes are handled.