Malta Mayor stresses sewer rate increase $4.50, not $37.50 per month, public meeting on increase slated for November 12

The Malta City Council will host a public hearing on the proposed sewer rate increase in the City of Malta on Tuesday, November 12 at City Hall starting at 5 p.m.

“The City has determined it is necessary to undertake certain improvements to the City’s municipal sewer system (the “System”) on an emergency basis, and anticipates issuing sewer system revenue bonds to pay the costs of such improvements,” states the public notice on the classified page of this week’s PCN. “It is necessary for the City to increase its sewer rates to pay the costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the System, pay debt service on its outstanding bonds and the bonds proposed to be issued, and to establish appropriate reserves.”

Malta City Clerk Lori Bond said the last sewer rate increase occurred in 2006 when it was raised by $6. Malta Mayor John Demarais stressed the importance of Malta residents recognizing that the increase is a $4.50 increase per month and not $37 per month as was rumored on social media.

“We are raising it $4.50, but people hear what they want to hear,” Mayor Demarais said.

Resolution 1276 which, which states the City of Malta intends to raise the sewer rates, was approved 4-0 by the Council.

“The public hearing on the sewer rates will be held on November 12 at 5 p.m.,” Mayor Demarais again stressed. “We will have that public hearing before the Council meeting that night and it will be just the one meeting.”

During the City of Malta Public Works portion of the meeting, Public Works Director Jim Truelove reported that sprinklers around the City of Malta have all been blown out and weatherized ahead of the start of winter. Director Truelove said that all bathrooms maintained by the Public Works Crew have been closed for the year except for Veteran’s Memorial Park on Front Street, and the traveler’s bathroom and regular bathroom at Trafton Park. He said that the new stop signs along 5th Avenue East have all been installed — though some tree trimming needs to be done in areas around some of the new signs — and Mayor Demarais commented on a recent message posted on social media by the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office about speeding in town.

“It said that if you want to keep that $85 in your pocket, pay attention to stop signs and speed limits,” Mayor Demarais said.

Director Truelove said the digital speed limit signs recently ordered by the City are still en route to Malta and concluded his report by telling the Council that the winter sand has been mixed and the sand truck is maintained and ready to go once it is needed.

Malta Parks and Rec Director Sally Wright told the Council that the Tiny Tots program, which is held Tuesdays and Thursdays, has started and has around 15 children currently enrolled. Director Wright said the volleyball league will conclude its season on October 21, said that youth co-ed basketball starts November 4, the Walk With Ease Program is up and going Tuesday and Thursdays at the City Hall gym starting at 9:30 a.m., and lasting for an hour, and led by Kayla Howard from the Phillips County Hospital Physical Therapy Department.

“The programs are all going well, and I only hear good things about them,” Mayor Demarais concluded.