12-11-02: Bremen electric bills may increase

12-11-02: Bremen electric bills may increase

By LANCE MIHM
The Daily Standard

    NEW BREMEN - New Bremen residents may see a 4 percent increase in their electric bills.
    Village councilors on Tuesday night approved the first reading of an ordinance increasing the rates equally for commercial, residential and industrial zoned property.
    The increase was needed after the village lost a lawsuit against Dayton Power & Light (DP&L), village officials said.
    New Bremen and 11 other communities, represented by AMP-Ohio, filed a lawsuit against DP&L in 1999 because of billing practices by DP&L. The company was billing several communities on generation costs instead of transmission costs, which resulted in higher rates. DP&L was providing only transmission of energy, and the villages felt the bills should be based on transmission cost.
    However, a judge ruled in favor of DP&L, giving the village a $69,000 back bill to be paid. Negotiations on interest payments are still ongoing.      "There is no money in the electric fund to pay it," Mayor Bob Klein told councilors of the money owed. "That is the main reason for increasing the rates."
    Village Administrator Larry Durkee added that while the small increase will not make a huge difference in residents' bills, it will generate more money for the village. The village also increased late payment penalties from 5 percent to 10 percent.
    Klein reported the community survey has been completed, but said results were not yet available.
    The community had been given a $5,000 community development block grant to administer the survey. Results of the survey will be used for community improvement changes. Klein said results will hopefully be provided to councilors at the first January meeting.
    Councilors also held second reading of a new position that was drafted due to extended growth of the village during the last several years. The new full-time employee would work for the public works department during the winter months and for the parks and recreation department during the summer months. Pay rate was established at $10.18 to $16.55 per hour.
    In other business, councilors:
    - Approved an emergency resolution entering a one-year contract with attorney Robert Kehoe, Wapakoneta, to serve as magistrate in mayor's court.
    - Held first reading of an ordinance entering a contract with the New Bremen Emergency Medical Service at $15,000.
    - Announced Dec. 20 has been designated as the last leaf pickup day.

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