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City public hearings set for next Tuesday, March 9

Public hearings will be held on Tuesday, March 9, on two ordinances under consideration by the Huntington Common Council - a proposed increase in sewage treatment fees, and proposed changes in regulations for commercial and noncommercial signs.

Both hearings will be held in the council chambers, located on the third floor of the City Building, 300 Cherry St. The hearing on sewage fees will begin at 7 p.m., with the public hearing on the sign ordinance beginning immediately after the end of the first hearing.
The council will also hold a regular meeting that evening.

The sewage fee ordinance was introduced during the Feb. 23 meeting of Common Council. Under the ordinance, most sewage-related charges would be increased in order to fund state-mandated improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant and to continue separation of the city's combined stormwater/- wastewater sewer lines.

If the ordinance is approved, the sewage fee for a non-industrial user - a category which includes homes - would increase from $3.92 per 100 cubic feet of water used to $4.70 per 100 cubic feet of water used.

According to Huntington Water Department figures, the average residential household in Huntington uses about 400 cubic feet of water per month. The ordinance would increase the monthly sewage fee for that average customer by $3.12, from $15.68 to $18.80.

The proposed ordinance would also increase minimum monthly fees, sewer tap inspection fees and waste hauler license fees.

The sign ordinance was sent to council by the Huntington Plan Commission, which proposed the rules as a means to "create a comprehensive and balanced framework to regulate signs, which can be viewed from the exterior of structures to protect the health, safety and visual aesthetics, and to promote the overall public welfare."

The proposed 30-page ordinance can be reviewed online at www.huntington. in.us/city/department/?fDD=5-0. Click on "Ordinance 4-C-10."