The Vidette

As expected, the McCleary City Council approved an increase to light and power rates.

The council’s decision was forecast through the approval of the 2017 budget in November. During the Dec. 14 meeting, the council officially approved raising the rates of light and power by 3 percent.

City Public Works Director Todd Baun had said the rate increases were necessary to balance shortfalls across the utilities. Light and power alone was facing a shortfall of about $200,000.

In addition to the rate increase, meter service charges will increase to $15, up from $7.05.

Other utility funds also face shortfalls, including sewer which is behind by about $73,000 and water with a $31,000 shortfall.

In total, when the council adopted its 2017 budget, it forecast that residents would see utility bills going up by $15 or $16 in 2017.

Chief sworn in

Also during the Dec. 14 meeting, Chief Steven Blumer was sworn in as chief of the McCleary Police Department.

Blumer had been serving as interim chief since the end of October when former chief George Crumb retired from the position. Though Crumb does not officially retire until the end of the year, he served his last day with the department at the end of October and will use accrued time off through the remainder of the year.

Blumer comes to the city with law enforcement experience and professional experience in finance, a skill that may prove helpful to the financially troubled city. In 2015, citing financial concerns, the council had considered contracting its law enforcement services through the county Sheriff’s office. The council failed to approve a motion to disband the police department and contract with the Sheriff, and the conversation has been muted throughout the past year.

McCleary Mayor Brent Schiller praised Blumer’s time as interim chief.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air in town,” Schiller said of the chief.