Lancaster Common Council members have voted unanimously to override two vetoes by Mayor David Varnam. The votes restore increases in sanitary sewer and stormwater utility rates in 2022 that council members initially approved last month. Previously, Varnam explained why he had vetoed both rate increases. He said combined with the proposed $1.10 increase in the garbage and recycling contract with Town and Country Sanitation, the total utility rate increase will be $3.78 per month. Varnam wanted the council to wait until the city has a full picture of the trash rate before council members considered approving any rate increase for the sanitary sewer or stormwater utilities. Varnam said his biggest concern on the stormwater utility rate increase is its impact on businesses in the community since they have parking lots and property that are impacted more by increases. Plus, he said the bottom line is both rate increases will impact the pocketbook of residents. Varnam suggested the city use money from the American Rescue Plan Act to do any stormwater projects. But, City Administrator David Carlson said it’s likely American Rescue Plan Act money will be spent elsewhere.
