HAMILTON — Butler County sewer and water customers may get a respite from rate increases during the next two years.

        The most recent projection by the Butler County Department of Environmental Services indicates no increases in sewer and water rates will be necessary this year or in 2003 and 2004.

        That's a notable change from earlier projections that had predicted a need for increases in each of those years.

        If the current projections hold, the average residential sewer user will pay $4 a month less than previously predicted, and the average residential water user will pay $3 a month less, said Tony Parrott, department director.

        The lower rate projections are the result of more efficient business practices, a reduced labor force and less contract work by outside firms, he said.

        “Because of new technology and cross-training, we've been able to do more capital projects in-house,” Mr. Parrott said. “It's about 40 percent cheaper to do them with in-house labor.”

        Butler County has one of the highest water rates in Ohio — $30 a month. Its average sewer rate of $19 a month ranks in the middle of Ohio utilities' rates.

        The county sewer and water system, which has 32,000 customers, serves all of West Chester, Liberty, Fairfield and Lemon townships, and parts of Ross and Hanover townships.

        Part of the county's ability to hold the line on water rates will depend on the settlement of the long and bitter water-rate dispute between the county and the city of Hamilton, Mr. Parrott said.

        County and city officials have been meeting the past month in an effort to settle the dispute, which has been in the courts for three years.

        The fight stems from a 1989 contract that requires the county to buy water from Hamilton. Butler officials have accused Hamilton of overcharging. Hamilton officials have said the contract and their practices are fair.

        “We feel we're close to a settlement,” Commissioner Courtney Combs said.

        Both sides are working from the supposition that any agreement must result in rate decreases for county users and no rate increases for city users, he said.

        Mr. Combs praised the new policies and practices that have enabled the Department of Environmental Services to project flat water and sewer rates for the next two years.

        The main factor that could spoil Butler's plans for no sewer and water rate increases, Mr. Parrott said, is costly federal or state regulatory changes.

        “Things like that are out of our control,” he said.

Pilots want to be armed in the air
Despite crashes, speed going up
Over-the-Rhine police plan will take steps at a time
Hospitals swamped in February; diversions set record
Reds' 'batter's eye' suite hopes to be a hit with fans
Spigot on increases may shut
Bat focus of beating-death trial
Church on Historic Register stands on brink of razing
Colerain planning to get more shopper-friendly
Council splits over spending of $50 million
Lebanon biology teacher organizing a debut venture
Little Miami schools in disrepair
Man gets 21 years in home invasion case
Xavier beefing up faculty, academics
Dayton seeks a police chief
Gambling proposal debated
Kentucky briefs
Newport on the Levee: Claddagh joins attractions
Referendum on Roach may not make fall ballot
State tourism council salutes Maifest
Tristate A.M. Report
RADEL: Post office thinks Ohio is Cleveland
PULFER: Su's kids
Some Good News
WELLS: Ohio's fish