Columbus City Council last night approved a 3 percent increase in water and sewer rates for 2020.
The city has been raising rates annually over the past 15 years to comply with consent decrees to stop sewage overflows into area waters and homes. Jonathan Lee with the city's Department of Public Service says rates will rise by three percent for water and sewer, and two percent for stormwater service:
The panel also approved spending 6.1 million to purchase a 157-acre former quarry in Delaware County that contains two reservoir areas. Sponsoring Council member Elizabeth Brown says it will be used for disposal:
Council also approved a 6-year income tax break worth 339 thousand dollars for a Columbus lens maker to expand its operations, and a 10-year, 75 percent Enterprize Zone Agreement with a local construction company to build a new headquarters.
