Elmwood OKs water, garbage fee increases

 Published Date: January 12, 2022

By JOHN A. BALLENTINE
For The Weekly Post

ELMWOOD – At the latest meeting of the Elmwood City Council, Alderman Nathan Brunnelson said water and sewer rates will go up 3 percent to stay current with inflationary rates.

Garbage and recycling rates are to increase as well, to $18.96 per month.
A handout provided shows the following monthly water service charges approved by the council:

• First 1,000 gallons – $16.15 per month.
• Next 2,000 gallons – $4.20 per 1,000 gallons.
• Next 3,000 gallons – $3.99 per 1,000 gallons.
• Next 5,000 gallons – $3.76 per 1,000 gallons.
• Next 9,000 gallons – $3.11 per 1,000 gallons.
• Over 20,000 gallons – $2 per 1,000 gallons.

At the meeting, a group of Elmwood residents spoke with the council for more than 45 minutes concerning a neighbor, Zachary Beintema, who has been arrested by the Elmwood Police Department and charged with endangering the life and health of a child, resisting/obstructing and disarming a police officer, disorderly conduct, aggravated intimidation, harassment of a witness to a court trial, public nuisance and aggravated assault on police. Beintema has a trial date of Jan. 13 for additional charges from the past.

In a related note, Elmwood police arrested resident Jesse Eldridge and charged him with water theft from the city, which is a Class 4 felony. Eldridge was also charged with identity theft, two counts of credit card fraud and numerous warrants were added to the water theft charge.

In other action, the council approved updates to the Standard Operating Procedure manual and approved COVID-related coverage for positive tests and testing procedures for employees. COVID-related time off for employees will not count against their vacation or sick time.

A TIF grant was approved for $413.69 to Scot Jehle and Elmwood Insurance Services LLC for adding a light to illuminate a mural of William Phelps on the east side of his building.

Economic Development Director Amy Davis said she applied for the remaining $5,646 in CURE funds for officer pay reimbursement. The city has received $80,861 in related reimbursements. Also, Davis said she has continued efforts to find a replacement business for Cerno’s.