New Water Rates Established for Baldwin City Customers
Due to increases received from our water supplier, beginning with January 1, 2024 usage, the cost per 1,000 gallons of consumption has changed for all retail water consumers from $14.07/1,000 gallons to $16.18/1,000 gallons, up $2.11. Per the ordinance passed January 16th, water rates will be adjusted again according to the annual Municipal Cost Index on January 1, 2025.
New Billing Lines Added to Provide More Transparency
This format change does not change the overall amount paid for the utility. That change is set out in a separate ordinance. Through January of 2024, your utility bill showed a “Water” line, a water franchise fee, and a water fee.
Beginning with the February 2024 bills, the Water line is broken into two parts for increased transparency: A Water line that is only based on your usage (now $16.18/1,000 gallons), and a “Water Meter Debt Payment” line that was formerly included in the “Water” line. This is a cost per meter calculated based on the monthly finance payments for capital improvement projects specifically for the water utility department.
In 2024, the Water Meter Debt Payment fee is $14.68/meter. Similar billing format changes will be forthcoming for Waste Water and Electric.
11th Street Project
A rough timeline of the 11th Street and Gap Sidewalk Project is as follows:
11th street sidewalk, including the drainage infrastructure work between Baker and Ames, will continue through late March. The road will remain closed to through traffic during that time.
The High Street segment from 4th to 2nd from approximately late March into early April.
2nd Street sidewalk from Fremont to Highway 56 in April.
Quayle Street sidewalk from 6th to the Junior High in late April.
All of timing is approximate and weather dependent.
Project information will be updated as it becomes available on the Baldwin City Website at this link.
December & January Council Recap
Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 7pm at the Library. Work sessions are usually the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm, at the Law Enforcement Center. All Council documents are posted at baldwincity.gov/council-documents.
December 5, 2023, City Council met in regular session at the Library. The consent agenda contained only minutes from the last council meeting. On old business, a Request for Proposal (RFP) had gone out to local banks for a 1.85 million dollar lease-purchase agreement, as authorized by Council at the November 11th meeting. Mid America Bank won the bid with a 4.9% interest rate.
In new business, there was a discussion about water rates. The water fund had a negative balance at the end of 2023. Baldwin City purchases water from the City of Lawrence, and rate increases happen annually. Baldwin City has not passed the increase on to consumers in 5 years. A plan was presented to bring the water fund back above zero and in compliance with the funding policy of a 15% reserve within 3 years.
After committee reports, Council adjourned.
December 19, 2023, Council met again. There were two hearings before the regular session started, one for an amended 2023 budget, and one for an Industrial Revenue Bond issue for Heritage Tractor’s new construction project.
Two special reports were presented. Jamie Hofling, Douglas County’s Sustainability Impact Analyst presented the County’s Climate Action and Adaptability Plan. Darren Prince from Kansas Municipal Energy Association (KMEA) then presented an electric rate study showing current revenues and reserves. Three options were presented for Council to bring the funds back up to reserve policy levels. No action was taken on the electric rate issue at this time.
An ordinance was approved to finalize the generator and truck lease-purchase bid from December 5th. A water ordinance was presented to raise water rates in 2024 in response to the discussion from December 5th, but the numbers in the ordinance were not what the Budget & Finance Committee expected to see. The ordinance was sent back to committee for review.
A 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) was approved for city employees. The amended 2023 budget was approved, allowing almost $175,000 in additional expenditure for solid waste and Capital Improvement sales tax. The Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) Resolution in response to Heritage Tractor’s application would allow the business to finance their project at a lower interest rate, as well as buy materials tax free for their construction project. IRBs are not city debt. It is a tool to help businesses grow and expand while spending less in taxes. This resolution was passed unanimously.
Committee Reports were given, and then Mayor Simoneau announced the winners of the Residential Lights Contest.
January 2nd, 2024, Council met for the first time in a new year. Mayor Simoneau started out the meeting with recognition for the Highway 56 crosswalk guards, Amber Verbeke and Steven Crable.
Mayor Simoneau recused himself for the following items of business.
Approval was given by Council for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the old Three Sisters Inn to be used as a counseling center. A plat was presented for the proposed Trail View Estates subdivision, recommended for approval by the planning commission. It was approved unanimously by Council, and then a Subdivision Development Agreement was also approved for the Trail View project. Council adjourned after Committee Reports.
January 16, 2024, the second meeting of 2024 commenced with a number of presentations. Mayor Simoneau recognized January as Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault Awareness month in Baldwin City. Stan Hernly with Hernly Associates presented the work being done to nominate downtown Baldwin City as an Historic District on the National Registry. The draft nomination should be submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office by early March 2024.
Ryan Murray of the ETC Institute presented findings from the 2023 Community Survey. Overall, the response rate was excellent and people rated the community very high in most areas. Results are available now on the City website.
A management agreement was approved for the Recreation Commission to manage the new Community Center when it is complete.
First of year housekeeping was finalized, including reappointing the City Treasurer (Glenn Rodden), Judge (Shaye Downing), Attorney (Dakota Loomis), City Clerk (Amara Packard), Police Chief (Mike Pattrick), and Fire Chief (Terry Baker).
The City must designate City Depositories each year, so all three local banks were designated.
A resolution for the sale of bonds to provide permanent financing for the Community Center was authorized 4-1. Council Members voted for Scott Lauridsen to remain Council President in 2024.
Committee reports finished up, and Council adjourned.
Upcoming City Events
February 6, City Council Meeting
February 20, City Council Meeting
February 27, Council Worksession
March 5, City Council Meeting
March 19, City Council Meeting