Mayor Barlow proposes $200 reduction to City of Oswego sewer bill
Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow announced in his State of the City Address he was proposing a $200 annual reduction in the City sewer bill for homeowners in the City of Oswego. He will officially make his proposal to the Oswego Common Council during the Administrative Services committee meeting on Tuesday, January 22nd. Mayor Barlow cited his administrations investment of $3.16 million in three years to the city's two wastewater plants and progress being made on the $85 million sewer separation project as reason for the $200 annual reduction. The proposal, if approved, would reduce the City flat rate water and sewer bill from $1,100 a year to $900 a year, or a $50 reduction per quarterly bill for Oswego home owners.
"In three years, we've secured $5 million in grant funding, invested $3.16 million into our facilities, negotiated a deal worth $200,000 with Oswego County and implemented a commercial sewer rate requiring our larger users pay their fair share so we could raise revenue not solely on the backs of our residential home owners," said Mayor Billy Barlow. "Now, due to these changes, we can finally ease the burden on our home owners and reduce the cost of their sewer bill by $200. As we begin to realize the benefits of investing in our facilities, using the Camden Group to manage our operations and securing grant funding, our first act will be to reduce the direct cost to our residents," Barlow said.
Robert Corradino, President of the Oswego Common Council welcomed the news of reducing the City sewer rates and pledged his support of reducing the cost of sewer service to City residents. "The proposed $200 sewer rate reduction is a huge issue for the residents of Oswego and I will fully support. Since becoming a City Councilor in 2016, the number one issue I've heard from my constituents is the high cost of sewer service and I am regularly asked when the City will provide some relief. I commend Mayor Barlow for all his hard work, making this reduction possible and I will work to make sure this reduction is approved immediately," Corradino said.
Mayor Barlow will present his proposal to the Common Council on Monday at 6:30pm at Oswego City Hall, 13 West Oneida Street, Oswego.
