E-Town Council approves natural gas rate increase, revised wastewater deal

The Elizabethtown City Council met for a regular meeting Monday.

The council approved two ordinances on their second readings. The first amended the city’s ordinance concerning signage on scenic parkways to replace Miles Street with Saint John Road. The second approved amendments to the city’s Natural Gas policies, which includes fee and rate increases.

“I do want you to take away though, just like when we talk about sewer, we’re still lower than just about every other utility around, and that’s after not raising it for several years, so we’re proud of that fact but we also have to be able to keep up with the times and the costs so we can continue to provide that utility and that service,” said Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory.

Gregory said the average increase for customers is about $20.

The council approved two municipal orders. The first authorized a land transfer from the city to Hardin County Habitat for Humanity for property located on Mills Court to be developed for affordable housing. The second approved an amendment to the city’s wastewater treatment agreement with Hardin County Water District No. Two for use of the city’s wastewater infrastructure including the Valley Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The agreement was amended to account for more development in the Glendale Service Area. When asked by Council Member Marty Fulkerson if the system can handle the increased capacity, City Administrator Ed Poppe said the agreement allows the city to take on more while planning for expansion.

“(Elizabethtown Director of Wastewater Treatment) Corey Bond and his team have been working with the consulting firm of JTL Prime for the last six months updating the facilities plan and making sure that’s in line,” Poppe said. “We’ll begin, probably, design work after the first of the year or so.”

During the meeting, Elizabethtown Police Officer Austin Smith was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. EPD Chief Jeremy Thompson said the department has recently seen a lot of retirements, which has allowed for new opportunities.

“Through these opportunities to promote young officers, I just talked about the stability we have as a department, and our hopes are that as we promote very talented young leaders within the department that it continues the continuity of that same stability,” Thompson said.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet October 27.