Bronaugh aldermen review water, sewer rates

Nevada Daily Mail

During its' April 7 meeting Bronaugh's Board of Aldermen once again reviewed the town's water and sewer rates.

Lois East, a representative from U.S. Department of Agriculture, submitted her review of the town's financial reports and gave the aldermen recommendations on rates.

"Neither the water nor sewer rates are sufficient and Bronaugh should consider a rate increase to both," East said. "The water loss should be reviewed too."

Treasurer Ann Loudermilk explained the town's water loss rate stems from difficulty in regulating the chlorine in the water. As a result, water is dumped on the ground at the water tower to compensate. She added the water project through Bartlett & West would address the problem. An internal review of the proposal to improve the water quality with updated systems and bring the water system controls under one roof was submitted to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources two weeks ago.

The aldermen also looked over lists of water rates in Missouri towns compiled by the Public Utility Allowance Survey, but took no action to change rates.

In other business, the aldermen approved Matt Layer and Ed Fowtler to continue mowing, seeking bids for removing overhanging trees on Sycamore Street and placing ads in Joplin and Nevada newspapers for street repairs.

In the treasurer's report, Mayor Sherry Brown announced in March the town's general fund had an income of $2272.69, total expenses of $2521.39 for a loss of $248.70. The water fund had an income of $4131.22, expenses of $3448.64 for a gain of $682.58. The sewer fund had an income of $4141.94, total expenses of $3769.63 for a gain of $372.31.