UNDERSTANDING YOUR UTILITY BILL

For convenience, residents receive a single monthly utility bill from Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) for water, sewer, waste, recycling and stormwater services.

Water Base Charge

Greater Cincinnati Water Works is responsible for water operations in the City Water charges have two components - a base charge and consumption charge The Water Base Charge is a fixed amount that is assessed to all customers for providing water service availability and connection to the public water system It includes GCWW operations and maintenance costs for processing treatment storage and delivery of water and emergency customer care and billing services GCWW adjusts Water Base Charge rates each year in January for inflation

Water Consumption Charge

The Water Consumption Charge is based on the amount of water used during the period of time reflected on the bill Water is measured in cubic feet ccf ccf gallons of water

Usage History Chart

This chart provides an overview of water usage over the past -month period If you see a sudden spike in your charges for water services it may indicate a potential leak We encourage you to contact GCWW immediately at

Waste Collection Charges

The City contracts with Rumpke Inc for waste and recycling removal services in the community Residents are assessed a flat fee for this service

This fee increases annually based upon contractual amounts

Sewer Consumption Charge

The Sewer Consumption Charge is based on water consumption

During the summer months sewer consumption rates are adjusted to reflect outdoor water usage Read more about the Summer Sewer Cap at imaginemason org

Stormwater Charge

The Stormwater Charge provides a funding source for stormwater management projects in the City Stormwater produced by rain or snow is captured in the stormwater system and transferred to local waterways helping to prevent flooding on roadways and throughout the community

Residents pay a fixed stormwater utility fee each month Businesses pay a stormwater fee based upon impervious area on the property

The City adjusts the Stormwater Charge each year in January based on a cost of living increase

Sewer Base Charge

The Sewer Base Charge is similar to the Water Base Charge The City of Mason is responsible for wastewater sewer operations The Sewer Base Charge is a fixed amount that is assessed to all customers for providing wastewater service availability and connection to the public wastewater system operations maintenance and capital improvements of the City’s wastewater system and Water Reclamation Plant Wastewater is any water that enters the wastewater system typically through a drain This water must be treated before reentering local waterways The wastewater system is one of the most significant services provided by the City for maintaining a healthy and safe community The City adjusts Sewer Base Charge rates each year in January based on a cost of living increase

Historic Sewer Utility Rate Reduction

On November 14, 2022, Mason City Council unanimously authorized a reduction to the residential and commercial sewer utility rate, effective January 1, 2023. This momentous action results in at least $150 in annual savings for residential customers and at least $125 in annual savings for commercial customers. This is a significant achievement for the City of Mason.

Sewer service is one of the most under-acknowledged but critical components to stability of life and maintaining a healthy, growing community. Nearly two decades ago, City Council made the strategic decision to relocate and construct a new water reclamation plant to help meet the community’s need for expanded wastewater treatment operations. The new Water Reclamation Plant was intentionally designed with the capacity to meet not just the existing needs of the community but considered the projected growth of the City. The forethought to construct the facility based on future anticipated capacities allowed Mason to continue its aggressive economic development activity, which helps keep tax rates low while providing high quality services and amenities for the community. The City’s Water Reclamation Plant remains a key driver to economic growth in the community. To this day, the Plant operates at approximately 65% of its capacity. This allows the City to remain an attractive destination for businesses looking to relocate or expand, which further strengthens our economy.

Due to Mason’s strong commitment to strategic economic development and financial stewardship, the City was able to pay off the outstanding sewer debt initially issued for the construction of the Water Reclamation Plant. This action resulted in $2.3 million in interest expense savings and ultimately led to the City’s decision to evaluate and reduce sewer utility rates for all customers in Mason.

Good financial management, strong credit rating, elimination of debt, and strategic economic development have positioned the sewer utility to have a healthy fund balance and allow Mason City Council the ability to reduce rates while also having sufficient funds for capital investments, unforeseen emergencies, and compliance mandates.

Sewer utility rate reductions for both residents and businesses will be reflected on February utility bills based on January usage. This historic achievement could not have been done without the leadership and vision of former and current elected officials as well as Mason’s prudent financial management and operating practices. In times of economic hardships that are felt nationwide, it is simply the right thing to do for the entire Mason community.

Lelle Lutts Hedding

Deerfield Township Planning for the Future

Happily, residents of the township agree: Deerfield Township is an alluring place to live, work, and play. We have warm and welcoming neighborhoods and superior schools. We have a booming business district and prominent parkland throughout the township. We have grown into a premier destination for visitors and businesses. As time progresses, growth continues bringing new challenges; these challenges are opportunities to shine. As trustees, our mission is to create a bright future for your family (We want you to love living in Deerfield!) while we balance the economic challenges of our business community. To accomplish community-orientated goals, the Deerfield Township Board of Trustees will focus our monthly Work Sessions in 2023 on creating strategies that enrich your future.

You will recall that the township’s most recent Comprehensive Plan update, “Becoming Deerfield – Your Voice, Our Future” was adopted in 2021. The purpose of our Comprehensive Plan was to articulate the long-range vision, goals, and executable strategies through community feedback to enhance the quality, economic vitality, and sustainability of the township. With long-term goals set for the next several years, the Board of Trustees’ approval process for short-term community-orientated goals commences in the fourth quarter of every year. The November and December Work Sessions focused on operational budgets, capital improvement projects, and infrastructure for 2023.

The Board of Trustees spent our January 17 Work Session focusing on Economic Development. Our Economic Development Director presented goals and objectives for 2023. As a bustling township with a significant daytime population brought here daily through employment opportunities, we explored meaningful and attractive incentives for current and future businesses. We discussed how other communities approach the same challenges and establish a clear direction for our business attraction and retention program. We leaned into redevelopment, community marketing, and workforce development as other important aspects of our development programming.

The Board of Trustees will spend our February 21 Work Session prioritizing the request for additional School Resource Offices in the Kings Local School District. Currently, in collaboration with KLSD, the township financially supports three SROs. Public safety is a priority for the Board of Trustees; as such, we will continue to evaluate deputy staffing with the Warren County Sherriff

The Board of Trustees will spend our March 21 Work Session discussing various proposals to update the Zoning Resolution (a.k.a. Zoning Code) for Deerfield Township. A Zoning Code controls the ways in which the land can be developed and what purposes the zoned land can serve. Historically, zoning has been viewed as a means to preserve the safety and health of a community. This is the next step in the community planning process to address the changing needs of our community. The Trustees will be evaluating the various types of uses throughout Deerfield, to ensure we don’t have an oversaturation of any one type.

The aforementioned planning meetings ensure that the trustees are providing services and amenities that our community desires, while maintaining focus on the holistic health and sustainability of our township. In closing, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to invite you to join us! Our meetings are held twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays. Public comment is reserved for the first Tuesday of the month, and all meetings are open to the public. We look forward to hearing from you, seeing you, and engaging with you!