FRACKVILLE - The Frackville Area Municipal Authority board adopted its 2012 operating budget with no rate increase at Wednesday's meeting.
The board also elected officers for the new year as part of its reorganization.
The budget, approved by a 5-0 vote, estimates $1,228,489 in revenues, including $168,885 cash-on-hand. The estimated expenses, including operations, administration and treatment plant, is $1,218,100, leaving an unappropriated balance of $10,389.
The sewer rate will remain at $360 annually, billed quarterly at $90.
The following officers were retained by unanimous votes: William Rhoades, president; Carl Pyzowsk, vice president; James Flail, secretary; David Gera, treasurer and Delmar Phillips, assistant secretary/treasurer.
During the reorganization, Domalakes was retained as solicitor and Entech Engineering was retained as the consulting engineering firm.
The board approved a fee collection resolution, which sets the rates for legal fees on delinquent accounts. Domalakes said the resolution is annually renewed.
"Basically, if we have to go to sheriff sale, the fee is $1,000 that we'll have to collect to do so, plus setting forth attorney's fees and other costs, with the property owner subject to the fees," Domalakes said. "The property owner should settle before it goes to sheriff sale, since it will be very expensive afterward."
In other business, the board approved the billing agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for the monthly billing for sewage treatment at State Correctional Institution/Frackville. FAMA office manager Rhonda Frantz said the monthly billing is $13,504 in 2012.
"This is approximately $3,000 less per month than last year due to our flows being so high," Frantz said.
After the meeting, Frantz explained that the agreement with the state specifies the sewage treatment fee is determined on the percentage of flow from the prison as compared to the overall treatment volume at the plant. With an increased amount of volume being processed at the plant, mainly due to storm water entering the sewer system, the state's share is reduced.
Storm water entering the closed sewer system can be caused by property owners illegally allowing water from sump pumps and rain gutters to flow into it.
"Anybody who is being clever fixing up their roof drains and sump pumps into the sewer is costing themselves and everyone else money," Domalakes said.