The Salem City Council Monday night will review the impact of the water rate increase placed into effect with the August 2021 billing cycle.
City Manager Rex Barbee says the utility clerks have indicated the increase has not caused more delinquent account holders. At the same time, he reports the increase has helped to cover the ongoing cost of operating the Water Plant and providing water to residents. Barbee says they have recently seen some increases in the chemicals used to treat the water and Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz and others are working with Curry and Associates to see if any other chemical treatment process could be utilized at a lower cost.
The council will also be asked to approve an ordinance allowing steel cargo containers in the industrial and certain business zones. The council approved having the ordinance drawn up at its last meeting. The containers would be permitted in B-3 highway business, B-4 interchange business, B-6 General Commercial and the Industrial Zoning District providing other zoning requirements are met. Special use permits would be required in the B-2 Central Business and B-5 Central/Intermediate Business Districts. The containers would not be allowed in the B-1 neighborhood business zone or any residential zone.
The meeting begins at six Monday night at Salem City Hall.
