Smithfield
hikes charges for burial plots and storm-water management
By Ash Schiller
March 10, 2005 | SMITHFIELD -- Cemetery
plots will likely cost $300 for residents and $650 for
nonresidents, but new prices will not be cemented in
until the March 23 City Council meeting when members
finalize the fee schedule.
The council originally planned on a $350 price tag
for residents, but decided on $300 after Councilwoman
Janice Mikkelsen conveyed citizens' desire to keep the
rates affordable.
"Let's make sure we're not making money, just charging
enough to upkeep," Councilman Brent Buttars said.
The only reasons the fees are being raised is to help
with up keep and discourage nonresident burials, Mikkelsen
said. The old fee did not cover the costs of necessary
equipment and other expenses.
Last year, there were more nonresidents buried in
Smithfield than residents, but council members agreed
that will be changing with the new prices.
All decisions regarding fees will be finalized on
March 23, including new storm water fees and changes
regarding business licenses. The changes were not discussed
in detail, but "80 percent of businesses will not be
affected," said James Gass, city manager.
Storm water fees, however, will affect everyone, especially
businesses. Right now everyone, residents and businesses
alike, pays a flat rate of $2.50 a month, Gass said.
After the 23rd, fees will be raised.
Fees have not been decided, but Gass suggested $3.50
for each household. Businesses would pay $1.75 per a
certain amount of area. For large businesses, this could
add up to quite a lot. "You can bet we're going to hear
from commercial businesses," he said.
Gass said fees must be raised in order to cover the
costs of the storm water management program, which is
now required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The city needs to hire a new employee and also purchase
a new sweeper. Sweeps cost from $115,000 to $120,000,
he said.
All cities from Wellsville to Smithfield are being
affected by the program and "this is pretty much the
route that everyone is taking," Gass said.
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