WILSON — Both water rates and trash collection rates for residents in Wilson will increase in January.

At Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council, approval was given to a proposal that would lower the minimum from the current 3,000 gallons down to 2,000 gallons. The minimum cost would rise from the current $16 to $30. For each additional 1,000 gallons used over the minimum, the cost would go from $4 to $5. However, the current $3 fee per water meter will be eliminated. The cost for using 5,000 gallons of water will increase from $24 to $45.

“What we’re proposing is not out-of-line with what everyone else is doing,” Mayor Mike Peschka said before the vote.

Peschka noted the new increased rates would bring in $77,000 over the city’s 2021 expenses, including transfer funds. He noted the inflation rate was set at 9.2 percent nationally for 2022. As such, city needs more money in reserves for water tower repairs, to pay for major repairs, for generator and water meter replacements and for possible lead-copper costs involving the city’s water line system.

Susan Kriley, city clerk, said while the new rates go into effect Jan. 1, they will be reflected in the water bills due Feb. 10.

In other business:

• Approval was given to a request by Chism Trash Service, the city’s residential trash collector, to increase the monthly residential trash collection fee from the current $18 to $20. That $2 increase will go into effect Jan. 1, but be reflected in the February billing. Inflation and the increasing cost of diesel fuel and other expenses were cited as reasons for the request.

• Peschka said he recently met with officials from Kirkham Michael & Associates regarding relocation of the city’s burn pile due to the planned construction of the Wilson Bridge in 2023. Originally, the city was considering purchasing ground east of the Wilson city cemetery to relocate the burn pile. The owner, however, does not wish to sell the property. Therefore, that proposal is off of the table. Peschka said Kirkham Michael is now looking at modifying the existing burn pile site which the city owns in order to make it work.

• During an update on the city board of health violations, Peschka noted the city is still trying to get a contractor lined up to clean up the violations at 2115 Ave. C. He also noted the owner of the grain elevators has been given an extension by the council until Jan. 3.

• No action was taken after a five-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel (employee wages and the 2023 cost-of-living).

• Christmas gift certificates were approved for city employees as presented. Gift certificates of $100 or more are taxable to the employee. As such, approval was given for the city to play the employee’s share of the Medicare and Social Security on the $100 gift certificates.

• Approval was given to renew the 2023 burn pile attendant contract with Larry Soukup at a rate of $10.50 per hour.

• Approval was given to have Gudenkauf and Malone of Russell perform the 2022 city audit at a cost of $7,200.

• Peschka noted the city was approved by the Ellsworth County District Court for the condemnation easement for the property directly behind city hall in order to guarantee access to that property. As such, the council approved payment of the $4,656.16 fee to the district court.

• After three executive sessions totalling 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel, (the police chief/patrolman position) no action was taken.

• Approval was given to purchase two shirts and a pullover jacket for the Wilson Police Department from Godfrey’s in Junction City at a cost of $488.02. Consideration of purchasing new vests was placed on unfinished business.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 6 p.m. Monday. Dec. 19, at city hall.

“What we’re proposing is not out-of-line with what everyone else is doing.”

Mike Peschka

Wilson City mayor on water rate increases