After reviewing costs for the upgrade at the Napoleon water treatment plant, and lower water sales, the Napoleon Board of Public Affairs is recommending the final year of the city’s proposed 10% increase in water rates stays in effect. That was part of the discussion Monday night for the BPA. Despite the water plant upgrade coming-in under budget; lower water sales are impacting the Napoleon city budget, so look for the 10% increase in water rates to remain. One of the factors in lower water usage is likely two large companies no longer in Napoleon: B&B Molded Products and Buckeye Launderers. The Napoleon Board of Public Affairs also recommended the yard waste site be limited to city residents only who are regular refuse customers. This will be recommended to the full city council, with the code enforcement officer overseeing implementation.
And the sale of the north side electric substation in Napoleon was completed recently, at about 1-million dollars to American Municipal Power. This money will go to the electric reserve account to pay down the debt on the solar field project, which should save on electric rates for the future. AMP is also paying Napoleon to maintain the facility.