WESTPHALIA — Westphalia aldermen tabled increasing sewer rates for the time being at their meeting on Monday, Jan. 26.

“The thing is, eventually we are going to need a new sewer plant,” Mayor pro tem Delbert Wieberg said. “Do we push it off until the next generation, or do we take care of it ourselves? I think the time to act is now. Why would we wait and be bad-mouthed 10 years from now when we could raise rates now? Really, the rates should have been raised over the past several years.”

City Clerk Tammy Massman noted that the city raised sewer rates twice in the past five years. Massman explained that a rate study conducted by the Missouri Rural Water Association was used to increase sewer rates.

Massman called several municipalities within Osage County as requested by the board, and reported that Linn’s base rate is $18.75 per month, Chamois has a base rate of $25 per month, and Freeburg’s current base rate is $18.14 per month.

“Everyone around us has about the same rate,” Massman said.

Westphalia’s current sewer base rate is $21 per month. Wieberg suggested doubling the rate at the December meeting, but now raised the possibility of increasing the base by $10.

“I’m saying we need to do something,” Wieberg said.

“I agree something needs to change, but doubling the rate seems ridiculous when everyone around us is nowhere near that price,” Alderman Stanley Heckman said. “I agree it’s better to address the issue before there is a problem, but doubling it is a little crazy.”

Aldermen agreed that the sewer rates needed to be increased, but did not have a consensus on how much, or whether it should be raised all at once or incrementally. Aldermen have had very little feedback from local constituents on the sewer rates at this point.

Mid Mo Operations Owner Aaron Lachowicz said that while Westphalia’s aging sewer system is currently working fine, the next thing to require attention will be the metal liner or skirt. He noted the concrete structure is in good shape.

Lachowicz explained that the problem was that the plant would need to be empty to make the repair, which would take about a month. The city would have to hire someone to pump and haul waste while repairs are being made, which would cost the city about $800,000. A new plant could be built for about $1.2 million.

“We would eliminate the need to haul anything if we build a new plant,” Wieberg said.

Heckman noted that the new plant could be refurbished down the road, but he doubted whether the city of Westphalia would ever grow enough that it would need both plants.

“I think that we should be talking about building a new plant in 10 years,” Wieberg said, suggesting board members wait for warmer weather to tour the wastewater plant and see what needs to be repaired.

Wieberg and Lachowicz attended a recent Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conference at which loan and grant options for the city were discussed.

“There were a lot of presentations by agencies and businesses on grants and loans that Westphalia just wouldn’t be eligible for,” Lachowicz said. “Once we decide what we want to do, we’ll apply for everything we can.”

Wieberg and Lachowicz admitted that the bulk of the money for a new plant or for repairs would need to be raised by the city, or Westphalia would have to get a loan to cover at least part of the cost.

In other news regarding the sewer system, Lachowicz reported that the city has received the draft of the operating permit for the wastewater plant from DNR.

“They did grant us the variance on the weekly sampling, so that should save some money,” Lachowicz said.

Moving forward, Westphalia will only be required to submit quarterly samples, which should save the city about $80 per week.

The operating permit will be publicly posted after a 30-day review by the city.

Lachowicz will need to order a new float for the City View Lift Station; repairs with parts and labor should be under $100.

Lachowicz asked Massman to pull the electric bills for Hwy. 63 Lift Station. He is hoping that the new, more efficient pumps recently installed are also saving the city money with a lower electricity bill.

• Wieberg reported that he could not repair the culvert by Dennis Fick’s office with the $5,000 that was approved at the last meeting. Wieberg said that he had spent a little over $1,100 excavating the culvert and realized that it probably needs to be completely replaced.

“I originally thought we could repair it, but after excavating it, I realize that fixing it just isn’t worth it,” Wieberg said. “We could leave it the way it is or spend $4,500 to replace it.”

Aldermen tabled decisions on the culvert until spring.

• The city did not receive a new insurance quote after changing the values of different city properties. Massman will send out the estimate to aldermen as soon as she receives it.

• Aldermen had not heard any complaints regarding the city streets and snow.

• The heater was not working in City Hall during the meeting. Wiberg will reach out to have the system looked at and possibly repaired.

• The city had the following receipts: city ($9,638.94), sewer ($9,165.22), and special road district ($18,602.59).

The aldermen approved the following outstanding expenses: city ($3,191.52), sewer ($24,107.69), and special road district ($1,175).

• Westphalia had the following account balances: city checking ($143,928.14), sewer system checking ($79,913.33), special road district checking ($136,137.44), and special road district savings ($5,135.06).

• The city holds the following certificates of deposit: city ($462,693.92), sewer system ($551,563.44), and special road district ($554,114.71).

• The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m.