Bowerston Council hears first reading of water surcharge increase

At the April 21 meeting of the Bowerston Village Council, the first reading of Ordinance 2026-10 was heard.

Councilman Frank Masters, on behalf of the utilities committee, reported that the committee had met to review the issue of raising the water utility surcharge, which had been discussed in recent meetings.

Masters said the committee had worked closely with Village Administrator Bart Busby and Project Funding Administrator Paula Beamer to explore options and discuss alternatives to raising the water surcharge by $20 per month.

The surcharge is currently $14.50, and the new ordinance will bring that amount to $34.50, increasing the base rate for Bowerston customers for water and sewer utility by 23%, with a 44% increase in the base water bill for Leesville and out-of-the-village customers.

Beamer said she had “ran the numbers many times” to figure ways to avoid an increase but could not find any other solutions. She said that while working with Busby and utility operator Jeremiah Warner on a 20-year plan for the village, it was determined to be necessary for the village’s future.

Beamer explained that the surcharge will be utilized for maintenance and upgrades when necessary and will keep the village from “finding itself in the situation that it is in now, of having to do multiple, multi-million-dollar projects at once.”

Beamer stepped down from the position of mayor in February to concentrate all of her efforts on the multiple projects that the village is currently involved in.

Council heard the first reading of this ordinance and will have the second reading at the May meeting, with the expectation of passing it in June. The $20 per month surcharge, should the ordinance pass, will take effect in July.

In other discussion, Matt Miller of the Spicer Group was present at the meeting to review with Council a proposed agreement for the upcoming water treatment plant project.

This agreement was discussed and tabled at the March meeting of Council when Solicitor Luke Brand noted several items that he would like to see clarified or changed. Since that time, he has worked with current Mayor Chase Bryant and Beamer to have those issues resolved.

Miller advised Council on the timeline that is expected for the water treatment plant project and said that it “will be ready to go to bid in August of 2027.”

Council unanimously voted to approve the agreement.

Other action: Passed Ordinance 2026-6, regarding Parcel 7 for the bridge project, as an emergency measure.

Approved Ordinance 2026-7, regarding Parcel 10 for the bridge project, as an emergency measure.

Passed Ordinance 2026-8, regarding Parcel 11 for the bridge project, as an emergency measure.

Approved Ordinance 2026-9, approving the project funding administrator or village administrator to sign pay-down documents for the water distribution project, as an emergency measure.

Passed Resolution 11-2026, transferring money from the general fund to the bridge replacement project fund in the amount of $8,065 to pay village obligations toward this project.

Approved Ordinance 2026-11, governing short-lived assets and reserve accounts for a USDA loan, instructing the fiscal officer to make monthly deposits, as an emergency measure.

Held an executive session to consider the purchase or sale of property from 6:22 to 6:32 p.m., with no action taken following.

Approved Busby to issue permits to utility companies that will work in the village.

Agreed to inventory meter hardware for future use instead of installing it in vacant homes and buildings in the meter replacement project.

Approved repairs in residents’ homes at the rate of $125 per hour during the installation of new water meters.

Approved culvert replacement work in the amount of $3,700.

Heard a project status report from Beamer.

Heard a report regarding ongoing work in the village from Busby.

Declined unsupervised use of the community park building as requested.

Discussed recent vandalism at the community park and building.

The next meeting of the Bowerston Village Council will be held Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m. in the village hall.