Water and sewer customers in the city of Wayne will see graduated rate increases over the next three years following action taken at Tuesday's Wayne City Council meeting.
Based on discussion at a recent council retreat, council members voted to raise rates in each of the next three years, rather than having a large, one-time increase.
The increases for both the water service and use rates and sewer service and use rates will start with meter readings taken on Jan. 15, 2025 and bills received by customers on March 1, 2025 will reflect these increases.
Water rates will go from $23 to $24.50 for those with a 3/4" or less water meter and from $33 to $35 for those with a 1" meter.
The monthly use rate per 1,000 gallons will go from $1.95 to $2.05 inside the city and from $3.99 to $4.10 outside the city.
These rates will be incrementally raised again in 2026 and 2027 to help offset the cost of replacing pipes throughout the city and for the construction of a new well.
The rate for sewer service will go from $14 to $16 for those with a 3/4" meter and from $20.75 to $23.75 for those with a 1" meter.
The use rate per 1,000 gallons will remain at $7.62.
Council members approved the applications of three persons to join the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department.
Kallie Reese, Emma Holloway and McKinley Dawson submitted applications and were approved by the fire department membership.
All three are Wayne State College students, with Holloway having been a member of the Cortland (Nebraska) Volunteer Fire Department. She is currently working toward obtaining her EMT certification.
Dawson told the council he wanted to help out the community and being on the department would tie in with his Safety Management major.
In other action, council members approved a request from Amy White, Director of Student Activities & Student Center at Wayne State for a bonfire to be held on the WSC campus on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m.
White told the council that the college was planning to have a bonfire in conjunction with Homecoming activities, but was not able to due to the dry conditions.
This time the plan calls for a holiday theme event with a tree lighting and other winter/holiday events.
Approval was given, pending weather conditions on the day of the event.
Resolution 2024-68 was given council approval. It allows for members of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to use the Freedom Park Shelter House free of charge without having to come before council each time to request permission.
Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $10,373.00 to TR Harris for the Wayne Prairie Park Phase 3 Lake Amenities Project was approved.
Matthew Smith with Olsson told the council the change will allow for the installation of additional trail from the lake to the east roadway and removing the section of the trail south of the bridge.
Certificate of Payment No. 4 (final) in the amount of $36,154.62 to TR Harris for the Wayne Prairie Park Lake Amenities Project was approved. This is work completed and approved by the engineer.
Related to the project, Resolution 2024-65 was approved. It will accept the completion of the project.
Mayor Cale Giese brought forth the names of three additional persons to be a part of the Recreation-Leisure Services Commission.
Carol Ellenbecker, Bryce Meyer and Justin Davis will join Chel Meisenbach, Brandon Hall, Brent Pick, Bill Engebretsen and Amber Schwarte on the board and the group will now be ready to begin meeting.
Council members went into executive session with Dave Peterson, JEO Consulting Group, to discuss the initial interviews with companies that submitted proposals for the Southwest Power Pool Market Participant duties. No action was taken at the meeting and the topic will be brought up again at a future meeting.
The Wayne City Council will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
