Oneida, TN (2008-10-16) The Oneida City Council briefly discussed both municipal water rates and capacity at its regular meeting Thursday night.
Meeting in regular session at the Oneida Municipal Services Building, the five-member Oneida City Council touched on two topics regarding water, both the recent surcharge instituted by the Oneida Water Department and the availability of water in the Ponderosa Estates area.
In response to a question posed by Alderman Jeff Tibbals, Oneida Mayor Jack E. Lay informed the Council that the recently imposed $3.50 surcharge on all customers of the Oneida Municipal Water System was not a permanent fee. The surcharge, which was imposed because of escalating cost of operations, stated Lay, was not (a charge) that (would) remain forever. The Oneida Water and Wastewater Board of Commissioners, not the Oneida City Council, imposed the surcharge. The Water Board will be the body that decides if, and when, the surcharge may be lifted.
While the Water Board has the authority to impose a surcharge on customers, the Oneida City Council must approve any rate increase.
In addition to rates, the Oneida City Council also touched on the problem of available water capacity in the Ponderosa Estates area. While the entire community is located inside the Oneida city limits, the Huntsville Utility District serves the area. Over the last few years, the Town and the utility district have discussed the situation. Recently, representative gathered to discuss the installation of larger supply lines and fire hydrants. Mayor Lay spoke optimistically about the spirit of cooperation on the project and the likelihood of it being accomplished in the near future. If completed, the project, indicated Mayor Lay, should reduce the Oneida Fire Department’s ISO rating, resulting in lower house insurance premiums for all citizens of the Town.
In a related topic, Mayor Lay also announced the Town had recently purchase three new hydrants, which will be installed by the Oneida Water Department at various location in the Town. The new fireplugs will replace existing or displaced hydrants. They cost the Town about $10,000.