BELMONT — Belmont Village Council voted to raise water rates in the community.

During a meeting in March, council held the third and final reading of an ordinance village officials had been working on since November.

Fiscal Officer Ricky Burkhead had explained at that time that the rates paid by the village to Belmont County for supplemental water were set to increase at the beginning of 2025 and that the severe drought experienced throughout the area last summer had decreased the amount of water produced by village-owned wells.

He had also explained that in 2024, the village had to repair a number of large breaks and, therefore, he had structured the new rates so that approximately $2,000 a month could be placed in a “replacement fund” that could be used for repairs going forward.

The money set aside could also be used to purchase new water meters, for water tank cleaning and inspections, and other water-related expenses.

Burkhead later said he had recently used money from the general fund to supplement the water and sewer fund.

Council approved the ordinance unanimously, setting new rates at 13.25 cents per 10 gallons for water and 14.75 cents per 10 gallons for sewer with unchanged base charges of $6 for customers outside the village with water service only, $23 for customers outside the village with water and sewer service. Customers within the village who currently pay a base charge of $24 will pay $25 a month.

Current rates are 10 cents per 10 gallons for water and 13 cents per 10 gallons for sewer.

Burkhead previously broke down what impact the increases would have on customers based on actual usage, saying that those using 1,000 gallons a month would see a $6 increase; those using 2,000 gallons would see an $11 increase; those using 3,000 gallons would see a $16 increase; and those using 4,000 gallons would see a $21 increase.

Meanwhile at the March 5 meeting, Burkhead announced that the village would soon be undergoing an audit, but that he believes iit qualifies for the shorter audit this year, which would save the village about $5,000 versus what the more involved audit would cost.

Fire Chief Bob Mills informed council that the village’s new firehouse project had been advertised for bids and that they planned to open the bids at the old firehouse at 3:15 on March 31.

Mills also told council that the department will receive a drone to facilitate search and rescue operations as part of a grant and it has a number of people enrolled in a program at Belmont College to be authorized to pilot the drone.

Fire Capt. Kaye Hall, who also serves as a cemetery trustee, informed council that a partially fallen tree in Belmont Cemetery discussed during the January meeting had been removed.

Council President Derek Cain proposed that the village look into what other options were available for internet service as a possible way to save some money, noting that Belmont County GIG “was making headway” in the area.

Village Solicitor T.J. Schultz said he would look into the matter after Burkhead said there was some sort of franchise agreement with Comcast that was keeping Belmont County GIG from going into certain municipalities with its service.

In other business, council approved allowing banners commemorating village veterans to be placed throughout the community, approved spending money out of the park fund to purchase two skids of surface material for the ballfields, and discussed the possibility of village water and street employees using a spare police vehicle that was gifted to the village several years ago.

Council also set the date for the annual Breakfast with The Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunt for April 19. The breakfast begins at 9 a.m. followed by the egg hunt at 10 a.m. Council approved a $750 budget for the event.

Councilwoman Lorie Grobb said donations for the event are welcome and can be dropped off at the village offices in the basement of the gymnasium on Brown Street.

Council also discussed the upcoming annual village yard sale, which will be held May 3 with the village cleanup on May 10 by the recycling bins at the end of Bridge Street.

Belmont Village Council meets at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month in the Stanley Sobel Village Offices on Brown Street.