Clark Public Utilities water
to cost more after February 1
Although their residential water rates will remain among
the least costly in the county, Clark Public Utilities water customers will pay
more for water effective February 1.
The basic rate for every water customer, which has been
$4.80 a month for the past 20 years, is being increased to $6 a month. In
addition, the cost per 100 cubic feet of water used will increase ten cents,
from $1.15 to $1.25.
Combined, the increases will amount to a nearly 13
percent increase (from $18.40 to $21.00) in rates for the average residential
customer using 1,200 cubic feet of water per month.
Utility commissioners today also increased the system
development charges for new water hookups, from $1,250 to $1,500.
Clark’s water utility had nearly tripled in size in the
past 20 years to over 27,500 customers and is expected to grow at a rate of at
least 3 percent next year.
The water system increases were dictated by the need for
Clark Public Utilities to develop a new field of wells, likely southeast of
Vancouver Lake. The new system development fees will help the utility pay the
financing costs of the new sources of supply.
Search for Evergreen Schools
superintendent continues with forums
Forums at 6:30 p.m. this evening and at 10 a.m. and 6:30
p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, are being conducted by Evergreen Public School
directors as part of their search for a superintendent to succeed retiring
Rick Melching.
This evening’s forum is in the Illahee Elementary School
media center. The Wednesday morning forum is in the district’s Administrative
Service, and the evening forum is in the Image Elementary School media center.
A nationwide search is expected to bring several
candidates to Vancouver by early March. The district expects to hire a new
superintendent in April.
Approximately 500 flu shots left
In an effort to get out the remaining doses of flu
vaccine to the community before flu season peaks, the Clark County Health
Department has dropped restrictions for the vaccine. “Anyone who wants to get a
flu shot now can get one,” says Justin Denny,
county health officer.
Denny says the flu season normally peaks in late
February, but, because it takes up to two weeks to build up immunity after
getting vaccinated, people should not wait to get a flu shot.
Approximately 500 remaining doses of vaccine are
available at various pharmacies and health care providers. For further
information, call 397-8215.
Clark County Chamber of Commerce
to discuss elder-friendly businesses
The Clark County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an informal discussion on how
businesses can become more elder-friendly at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the
Quality Inn & Suites, 7001 NE Highway 99.
Ted Alby presents “The Aging of America:
Social and Economic Consequences, and What We Can Do About Them.” Alby is
founder of Homewatch Caregivers, Vancouver.
The event is free and open to the public, according to chamber spokesperson
Michael Golden. For further information,
call 892-6345.
Barbara Sheldon named youth
equestrian center director
Barbara Sheldon
has been appointed executive director of the Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian
Center. Sheldon is a former restaurant owner, whose background includes public
relations and marketing. Sheldon is a recent graduate of Washington State
University Vancouver.
The equestrian center is a non-profit organization that
provides equine therapy through instructional classes for at-risk young persons.
People
Byron Hanke,
completing his first year as an elected commissioner of Clark Public Utilities,
today was elected president of the three-member board of commissioners. Before
running for public office, Hanke was a long-time employee at the utility, where
he served as communications manager and manager of the Camas office until
leaving to become executive director of the Port of Vancouver. Newly reelected
utility commissioner Nancy Barnes, who
served as president of the board during the past year, was elected secretary.
Carol Curtis was named vice president of
the commission.
News briefs
The Clark County Community Development Department is
holding an open house to provide information about proposed changes in the
county’s environmental ordinances at 4 p.m. today in the Dollars Corner Fire
Station, 12609 NE 72nd Avenue.
g C-TRAN is
holding a public hearing on proposed fare increases at 5:15 p.m. today in the
Clark County Commissioners’ hearing room on the sixth floor of the Public
Services Center, 1300 Franklin Street.
g Clark County
commissioners meet in informal session at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12.
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