Tagged: Hamilton County Commission

Hamilton County Commissioners have approved a 5-percent rate increase for Metropolitan Sewer District customers starting January 9.  Sewer rates have been climbing for several years to pay for a $ 3.2 billion system upgrade required to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.

Commissioner Todd Portune said about 780 other local governments are in the same position at a cost of more than $500 billion.

Sewer rates in Hamilton County will likely go up again next year, though not quite as much as expected.

The Metropolitan Sewer District is recommending County Commissioners  approve a five percent increase for each of the next five years. That's less than the eight percent rates went up in 2012. Sewer District Director Tony Parrott says the smaller projected increases are possible because of reduced costs related to changes in a project along the Lower Mill Creek.

Angry employees and people who regularly use the Hamilton County Recorder's office packed Commission chambers Wednesday. They want funding restored to the Recorder's budget so he won't go through with closing the office on Friday's.

Earlier this month Wayne Coates announced the four-day work week is needed to manage the nearly 25 percent cut to his 2013 budget.

Paul Berlage with the Southwestern Ohio Land Title Association says avoiding filing delays is paramount.