$5 surcharge added to electric bill
By ERIC CLARK
Staff writer
Hillsboro residents and business owners will incur a five- dollar surcharge for each electric meter on their property, according to city administrator Steve Garrett and the Hillsboro City Council.
The council approved an ordinance Tuesday requiring anyone with an electrical meter to pay a minimun five-dollar surcharge per meter each month.
The $60 a year charge to each meter-holder is an attempt to help bolster the city's fledgling budget and eliminate the city's need for alternative sources for income.
Council member Leonard Coryea voiced his concern about adding the new surcharge before he endorsed the ordinance.
"Is there anyone who has multiple meters?" Coryea asked. "How are they going to feel about paying five extra dollars a meter?"
The hospital, the grocery stores, and Tabor College were among some of the businesses said to have more than one meter.
"I still feel this is a business- friendly way to save on property tax," Garrett said of the ordinance. "We have to come up with money somewhere. It's something that really makes sense. I prefer to pay the surcharge."
The council approved the ordinance unanimouisly.
In other action:
City engineer Bob Previtera reported about the Main and Grand Street reconstruction.
According to Previtera, the light fixtures and striping on the road should be finished sometime today.
Previtera also reported "scarring" or "gouges" discovered on the newly formed asphault street. He assured council members that the scarring would be fixed.
Council member Matt Heibert asked if damaged brick would be replaced or repaired.
"Damaged brick will be marked and replaced," Previtera said.
Coryea asked Previtera if the city had intended to add a railing system around an incline on the sidewalk of the store front between Daylight Donuts and the south corner of Total Home Repair and Appliance.
Previtera said the city is intending to add a rail.
Garrett praised the work done by both the road crew and the city.
"The lack of the overhead wires really cleaned (downtown) up," Garrett said. "With the heat and the length of time that this has taken, people have been pretty understanding and patient. We've all come out OK."
The council gave their approval for Garrett to negotiate for the purchase of a small-bucket truck listed for $39, 500.
Councilmen also heard a request by Megan Kilgore, Hillsboro Management Board Executive Director, to allow for a special fireworks program during the dedication of the new downtown street project.
City attorney Dan Baldwin said the city wouldn't need to write up a resolution, but said he thought it might be a good idea.
The council also approved a $1,000 donation to the After-School program but asked Garrett to discuss alternatives with the organization about donating volunteer time, rather than money, in the future.
