RIVERSIDE
Water and sewer rates were among the Fiscal Year 2025 budget topics discussed at a Riverside City Council work session Monday.
Residents and businesses currently pay a $12 monthly …
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RIVERSIDE
Water and sewer rates were among the Fiscal Year 2025 budget topics discussed at a Riverside City Council work session Monday.
Residents and businesses currently pay a $12 monthly base rate for both water and sewer charges, plus an additional $6 per 1,000 gallons of water used.
Council members did not set rates for FY25 yet because projections of costs for the new budget year have not been finalized. City Administrator Cole Smith said he was meeting with PeopleService officials this week about projected costs and water-management services for FY25.
“I think we need to tighten up how the water and sewer systems are run,” Council Person Kevin Kiene said.
The city is in the midst of updating its water treatment and sewer treatment plants.
“I think we need to be mindful it’s not their pockets they’re digging into, it’s our pockets,” said Council Person Ryan Rogerson.
Budget Timetable
Monday’s meeting was the second work session as the City Council heads toward a scheduled April 15 approval date for the FY25 budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Another budget work session is scheduled for Feb. 12.
A public hearing for the FY25 proposed tax rate is April 1. Smith said the property tax rate is expected to remain at $8.10.
Smith spent an extended time of Monday’s meeting presenting a detailed projection of FY25 spending.
An FY24 budget amendment is expected to be approved in May. The amendment is expected to include additional funds needed for the completion of the Third Street water and sewer main project, which was budgeted at $3.3 million but may end up nearly $500,000 higher than that.
College Work
City Administrator Cole Smith asked the Council for preliminary approval to enter a Master of Public Administration program at Drake University.
The cost is expected to top $24,000 and, if approved, several City Council members wanted to get a commitment from Smith to stay on for at least another three years so that the city can get some benefit of the higher education.
“I’m not opposed to giving further schooling,” Council Person Kevin Mills told Smith. “I want to see you do well.”
Smith said the coursework would be done online and that city business would remain his top priority.
Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. Feb. 5.
