City raises fees, service charges

Small hikes in water, sewer and storm sewer rates will be coming after approval Tuesday by the Fort Scott City Commission.

Commissioners unanimously approved ordinances calling for 3-percent increases in water, sewer and storm sewer rates that Director of Finance Jon Garrison said will be figured into the city's 2015 budget.

Garrison said this is the third year for the slight increases in these rates since he returned to his position in 2012. He said the small, "nominal" increases each year are better than implementing large increases at one time, such as he has seen in his previous experience working with city finances.

"In my 30 years of experience, a nominal 3-percent increase every year to keep up with inflation," he said. "This is the third year I've done it. I think the city did it 10 or 12 years before that."

The new rates are scheduled to take effect the first full billing cycle in January.

Water customers in 2015 will see a minimum charge of $10.60 per month for up to 1,500 gallons. For the next 36,000 gallons, the charge will be $5.08 per 750 gallons; for the next 75,000 gallons, the charge will be $4.55 per 750 gallons and for each 750 gallons of usage after that, the charge will be $3.27, according to the ordinance.

For sanitary sewer, users will be charged a rate of $19.66 per month which will be the minimum base charge per month and include usage up to 2,300 gallons of water metered. The charge for water metered beyond the base rate will be $1.82 per 750 gallons, the ordinance said.

Rates for storm water users will range from $4.12 per month for less than 3,000-square-feet of impervious area to $77.25 per month for 200,000-square-feet or more of impervious area, according to the ordinance.

City fee increases

During their meeting, commissioners also approved ordinances calling for increases in fees currently charged by the city in several areas. City Manager Dave Martin informed commissioners that city officials recently reviewed the city's current fee schedule "which had not been done for 17 years." Martin recommended various fee increases which are slated to take effect Jan. 1.

"We felt we needed to raise fees in some areas," Martin said.

Commissioners also approved ordinances amending the municipal codes regarding shelter rental at Gunn Park and permit fees for garbage collection. The first ordinance states that enclosed shelters, Nos. 2, 3 and 6, shall rent for $20 for up to 24 hours. The large enclosed shelters, Nos. 5 and 7, shall rent for $25 for up to 24 hours. All stone shelters, Nos. 1 and 4, shall rent for $15 for up to 24 hours.

"This should not deter rental for the public," Martin said.

Concerning garbage collection permits, the amended ordinance states that "no permit shall be issued unless the applicant therefore shall pay to the city clerk a permit fee in the sum of $50 for pickups and $100 for large trucks per annum for each vehicle used in the collection and transportation of garbage." These ordinances become effective after passage and publication in the official city newspaper.

Garrison said when the city's fee structure is amended, ordinances have to be amended "to make it legal and official."

"Each individual department with fees, we looked at them to compare with other cities' fees in the region," he said. "We want to be competitive. We don't want to be the highest or lowest ... We want to amend the fee structure so that the level of fees generate enough money to pay operating costs."

"This will help us recoup some costs for upkeep (of facilities) and also keep them clean and in operation," he added.

See the sidebar to this story for information on fees that are being increased.

In other business Tuesday, commissioners:

* Heard a report from Buck Run Community Center Tom Robertson, who informed the commission of his efforts to continually update recreational programs at the center and in the community. Robertson said he is looking to start a junior golf program with tournaments to encourage interest in golf for area youth. He is also seeking to offer more classes at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center such as a water aerobics class and a senior exercise program. Robertson said he is also working to encourage others to watch demonstrations at the skate park. Robertson said he already has some tournaments booked for the LaRoche Baseball Complex under construction at the Fort Scott Industrial Park.

* During a public hearing, approved a resolution directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 1362 215th St., a one-story structure south of the two-story attached structure. Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou said the one-story structure, part of the old Colonial Motel, has caught fire a couple of times in the past and has been deemed dangerous and unsafe. Following a recent fire, roof supports in the structure have burned away. Ballou recommended allowing 15 days for the property owner to repair or remove this part of the structure. After commission approval, the structure must be brought up to code by Jan. 5 or demolition proceedings will begin.

* Approved an ordinance authorizing the city of Fort Scott to issue its taxable industrial revenue bonds, Series 2014, not to exceed $4.5 million, for the purpose of the acquisition, construction and equipping of a hotel facility, the Sleep Inn and Suites project. Commissioners also approved authorization of certain other documents and actions in connection with the bonds. City Attorney Bob Farmer informed the commission the city is the "conduit to assist in issuing the bonds" and there are no city tax dollars involved.

"The city has no direct financial responsibility for the bonds," Farmer said. "The city is a mechanism for issuing the bonds."

Garrison said "taxpayers are at no risk" and have "no responsibility to pay these bonds off."

"Industrial revenue bonds go through city government as a mechanism to sell the bonds," he said. "It's 100 percent the legal responsibility of the owners of the hotel. The city is not responsible for making bond payments. It's just a catalyst to assist the hotel with doing their permanent long-term financing of their hotel."

* Approved the low bid of $11,996 from Krantz Docks of Climax Springs, Mo., for the purchase of a floating dock for the second lake at Gunn Park. Parks and Building Manager Todd Farrell said improvements to the second lake at the park are nearing completion. There are remaining funds from a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant the city received to place a dock at the lake. Farrell said he received two bids; the other bid came from Atlantic Meeco of McAlester, Okla., in the amount of $12,244. Farrell said the dock will include a roof as well as ADA handrails, concrete decking and telescoping poles. The city has worked with Krantz Docks in the past with docks at Lake Fort Scott. Farrell said there were no local vendors to submit bids for this project.

* Approved closing City Hall at noon on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.