Cambridge trustees adopt an appropriations ordinance

CAMBRIDGE—Cambridge village trustees dealt with only three agenda items Monday, due to a shorter month because of the Memorial Day holiday.

Trustees approved the 2008-2009 appropriations ordinance. No one attended a public hearing on the ordinance at the start of the meeting. The appropriation ordinance is $2,900,436, but budgeted expenditures showing what the village actually expects to spend are $2,417,030.

There is a bright spot in the village’s financial picture: Mayor Dwaine Van Meenen pointed out sales tax income rose from $165,000 for 2006-07 to more than $200,000 for the year just ended. He noted part of the increase could be attributed to higher gas prices (since the village gets a penny on the dollar), but he said sales at Dollar General and Subway were also part of the increase.

“We’re really pleased sales tax revenue continues to climb for us,” he said.

The water rate and the sewer rate were raised by 14 cents per 1,000 gallons for a combined increase of 28 cents, making water rates for residents rise from $5.66 to $5.94. Rates for several out-of-town customers will rise from $8.47 to $8.89 per 1,000 gallons, a 42-cent increase.

Trustee Grady Usrey noted the increase is the same annual 5 percent according to plan each year to keep up with rising costs in the water system.

The board also approved a consideration agreement with Missman, Stanley and Associates regarding landfill monitoring. The engineers will work with the village to try to keep monitoring costs down, which may or may not involve a new monitoring well that’s currently being considered in committee.

Engineer Scott Kammerman told the board he is “disappointed” that the state continues to require monitoring for various substances when the levels are below the standard for drinking water.