Water rates will remain the same for the Bradford area in 2018.
The Bradford City Water Authority on Wednesday approved a budget that contains projected revenues of $3,755,200 and operating expenses of $2.858,000.
For 2018, the authority’s fixed monthly meter fee for five-eighth inch meters will remain at $18; and the water rate is $2.70 per thousand gallons. For one month, the average residential water customer would pay $31.50, $94.50 per quarter and $378 per year. For commercial and industrial customers, fixed monthly meter fees increase per the size of the meter, but they will continue to pay $2.70 per thousand gallons.
“We were able to hold the budget steady with no rate increase, with the help of all departments collectively working together to minimize inefficiencies and with strategic planning which has helped us be more efficient,” said authority executive director Steve Disney. “We’re also focusing on good, solid preventative maintenance activities to try and stay ahead of the problems.”
The spending plan satisfies the required debt service coverage, and there is a $173,619 operating surplus available for the bond redemption and the improvement fund, Disney said.
Next year, the authority is eying large projects involving distribution and infrastructure.
Disney said that $150,000 has been projected for valve replacements and $120,000 for water main replacements.
“Valve replacements will assist in replacing aged valves and promote more efficient shut downs of the system,” he said. “Main lines that historically have caused distribution crews the most trouble will be targeted for replacement. Replacement of the distribution department dump truck and mini excavator are also planned for 2018.”
The city’s water rate is the seventh lowest water rate in Western Pennsylvania in a current water rate comparison of 79 different systems, Disney said.
The authority also scheduled meetings next year to be held Wednesdays, the second –– as needed –– and the fourth of each month at noon in the Kubiak Building, 28 Kennedy St. in Bradford.
Also at the meeting, Disney reported that project contractor, Klinginsmith Construction, has wrapped up the installation of the 6-inch water main line and required service connections along Helen Lane.
“Final land restoration could not be fully completed due to winter weather, and will resume in the spring of 2018,” he said. “This $70,530 project in Bradford Township replaced an aging 4-inch water main line, which has been very problematic for the authority distribution crews of the last several years.”
In other business, the authority:
• Addressed comments from a Bradford Township Supervisors meeting held Dec. 11 where three township supervisors disagreed with the $50 dollar per hydrant increase in annual hydrant fees.
“The board explained that the hydrant fee had not been raised in 31 years,” authority officials said. “The fee established for 2018 is by far the lowest in the entire area with the exception of only one municipality. Hydrant fees are necessary to assist in funding for preventative maintenance activities, routine and emergency repairs, and annual servicing and upkeep.”
• Approved a $136,380 bid from RAM Forest Products Inc. of Shinglehouse for the purchase of 205,090 net board feed of marked sawtimber and 35 cords of pulpwood on authority’s property at Horn’s Passage. Eight bids were received for the sawtimber and pulpwood.
• Approved the semi-annual water treatment plant chemical bids to JCI Jones Chemicals Co. of Caledonia, N.Y., of $60 per 100 pounds for liquid chlorine and $17 per 100 pounds for caustic soda. Six companies submitted bids to provide the authority with chemicals.
