Immediate Natural Gas Rate Increase Coming For City Of Bethany Customers

Due to a revenue loss being realized by the gas department, Bethany’s Board of Aldermen approved an immediate 10 percent increase in natural gas rates for city customers during a meeting held Monday night. Council members reluctantly agreed to the increase, but took the action to allow the department to keep from operating in the red. Council members reduced a proposed 30 percent natural gas increase during budget considerations last year. They eventually settled on a 10 percent increase. The gas department has operated at a loss since June. The September loss is projected at $82,500. The October loss is pegged at nearly $84,000. Another increase may be considered in January.

Bethany’s Board of Aldermen approved a bid from Rodriguez Mechanical for the 2022 Water Project. That project will replace water line which would eventually serve 90 percent of Bethany’s water customers. The bid from Rodriguez Mechanical was about $140,000 higher than a bid from Legacy Underground, but the council made a security decision based on their past working relationship with Rodriguez Mechanical.

A Waste Collection Event will be held on Saturday, October 29th in Bethany. The event will include a collection of paint, tires, electronics, and other potentially hazardous waste materials. That event will be held at the old street department building at the corner of 28th and Newburn.

Council members approved agreements with both MPUA and R/S Electric for utility work.

They also approved a change in policy for the bills which are given to rural residents for fires. Recently, several large fires have been experienced for rural residents who have not chosen take out the fire insurance offered by the city for rural residents. The new policy will allow rural residents to receive a 25 percent reduction in their fire bill if they pay the bill right away. Otherwise, a full bill could be paid in 12 monthly installments.

There will be a lighting contest held for the holiday season in Bethany this year. The specific plans will be detailed at their November 7th meeting. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Bethany’s council approved a proclamation recognizing the 77th anniversary of National Disability Awareness Month. Police Officers Eric Rimmer and Charles Bloss were recognized with Certificates of Appreciation for life saving actions in two separate incidents for City of Bethany residents.