Refuse Cost Up, But No Change In Bills

The Village of Archbold will pay more to pick up the trash, but homeowners won't see bills increase for now.

Council approved a 3% increase in its residential refuse collection contract with ARS, Inc., at the Monday night, Jan. 7, 2008 meeting.

Currently, homeowners pay $7 per month for garage pickup service.

The charge is placed on the monthly water bills.

Dennis Howell, Archbold village administrator, said the monthly charge will not be increased for now.

In 2007, when village officials thought the ConAgra plant would be closing, resulting in the loss of more than 300 jobs, ARS agreed to a contract increase of 1%.

"They were very gracious in our time of need," said Kevin Morton, councilman, and chairman of the utility committee.

Howell said under the terms of the agreement between the village and the company, ARS would have been in line for a 2.36% increase in the contract price for 2008.

The 2.36% figure represents the the increase in the cost of living.

Because the company had done the village a favor by accepting the 1% hike, it was decided to go ahead with a 3% increase, Howell said.

"We see their request as reasonable," Morton said.

Howell noted that the cost of diesel fuel, used in the ARS company trucks, has doubled.

Year End

Joan Lovejoy, village finance director, told council members that during 2007, total village receipts were about $21,312,000, and expenditures were approximately $21,438,000.

That means the village spent about $126,000 more than it collected in revenue. The $126,000 difference is roughly six-tenths (.6) of a percentage point of total revenues.

In a later interview, Lovejoy said the village started 2007 with a balance of approximately $9,128,000. At the beginning of 2008, the figure stood at about $9,003,000 (figures may not add due to rounding).

She said during 2007, the Archbold Park Board opted to pay off some of the debt it incurred for the development of Woodland Park, and she said income tax revenue was off by about $400,000.

On the other hand, the water and wastewater funds each took in more than they spent, and the general fund revenues exceeded expenses by about $400,000.

During the interview, Lovejoy said she was not concerned that the village spent more than it received.

Council authorized Howell to advertise for bids to construct a new storm sewer, from the Archbold Evangelical Church construction site on Lafayette Street south, across Short- Buehrer Road, to Brush Creek.

Contractor bids will be opened at noon, Jan. 31. The estimated price for the new storm sewer is $1 million.

Video Service

Council also approved new legislation, bringing village ordinances in line with state and federal laws regarding cable television and the franchise fees the services pay.

Howell said Mark Hagans, village legal director, had checked the village's proposed ordinance with an expert in the field, to assure it was in compliance with other laws.

Under the new legislation, cable television providers are now known as video service providers. Archbold's two video service providers, Time Warner and RTEC Communications, will continue to pay franchise fees, which amount to about $30,000 per year.

Council also approved a change order for the parking lot resurfacing contract, increasing the cost by $4,468.96.

Howell said several other projects were being added to the resurfacing contract. The change order is not final, he said.

Kevin Morton, councilman and liaison to park board, asked about concrete sidewalk work in Memorial Park, near the concession stand.

Bob Seaman, village engineer, said all of the concrete has been poured. There will be cleanup work in the spring.

Ed Leininger was again named council president. All members were present, all votes unanimous. Next council meeting is Monday, Jan. 21.- David Pugh