HUBBARD — Water and electric customers should see their rates go up next year as city council Monday gave a second reading to legislation that raises fees for both utilities.

The third and final reading by council for the rate increases is scheduled for July 5.

Mayor Ben Kyle said electric rates, which have not gone up since 1989, will increase 2.5 percent per year through 2027. That means customer’s paying $2.80 per kilowatt hour now would see an increase to $5.80 per kilowatt hour in 2023 and $17.80 per kilowatt hour in 2027.

Water customers — inside and outside of the city — will see an increase of 8 percent per year next year through 2027. Water rates have not been increased since 2010, Kyle said.

“Operating costs and purchasing costs have gone up, so the adjustments are needed,” Kyle said.

Water customers living in the city now pay a $16.10 base rate per account and $3.20 per 100 cubic gallons usage fee. The increase would take the base rate to $17.39 and usage fee to $3.46 next year.

Customers outside of the city who pay a base rate of $22.65 per account and $4.68 usage fee would see those increase to $24.46 and $5.05 next year.

A review of the water rates is scheduled to take place before 2026.

In other business, Councilman Jerry Crowe said bids came in much higher than expected for the 2022 street paving program. He requested legislation be prepared to rebid for the paving.

The city has a $140,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant to help pay for the road improvements and plans to pitch in $220,000 toward program, giving an estimated $360,000 to pave nine streets. The bids, however, were more than $100,000 over what the city had budgeted.

“The street resurfacing needs to be done. We need to get the streets done this year because next year could be more expensive,” Crowe said.

The nine streets being proposed for paving this year are Belle Vista, Fifth and Orchard avenues; Dorchester, Triangle, Wendemere and Jean drives; and Johnny K Boulevard and Lauretta Lane.

Kyle said all nine are among the worst in the city based on an evaluation of the roads ranked from worst to best.

Also, Kyle said the city is looking to replace defective fire hydrants, but doing so could be challenging because hydrants are in short supply.

Councilman Michael Mogg asked if the Trumbull County 911 Center was notified of where the defective hydrants are located so they can inform fire department and rescue crews on emergency calls.

Kyle also said he is “very frustrated” by the condition of the city parks with fallen trees, trash and debris. He said he has spoken to the park board to see what can be done to make improvements and rectify the problems with most issues at Jones and Waugh parks.

The city also is waiting for new playground equipment for Waugh Park.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com