The Perry City Council convened Tuesday evening for a regular session on a special night. Due to the Labor Day holiday, the meeting was moved from its normal day of Monday.

Much of the meeting revolved around establishing rates and fees for sewer usage and treatment. The Council discussed increasing the sewer rates, as they had been the same for eight years and had fallen behind where they need to be. With an $18 million sewer plant improvement project looming, the Council approved a $6 increase for availability and 20% increase for usage, effective the first of October. The rates will then increase by $2 and 6%, respectively, each year after that through 2022.

The Council also approved two items relating to the recently completed sewer cleaning project. First there was a pay application for $8,323 to Accujet, followed by the final acceptance and certificate of completion for the project. The cleaning was done three phases at a time over the last couple years. City Administrator Sven Peterson said the City will go back to Accujet next fiscal year to reexamine the problem areas identified and clean them as needed. Other items approved included: a pay request for release of retainage for $1,443.73 to InRoads Asphalt for the Park Street paving project; tax abatement applications for construction completed in 2018 so far; and a fireworks permit for J&M Displays for the Perry High School Homecoming celebration.

Finally, the Council held discussion on open burning dates for this fall, ultimately deciding to allow it from October 31st through November 20th between 10 a.m. and sundown. For more information on the Perry City Council meeting, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.