UPDATE RECEIVED — Bill Secrist, Follansbee’s public works director, updated Follansbee Council on various projects Monday after council agreed to raise the city’s garbage rates, which is among various financial matters discussed by the panel. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — During a meeting filled with talks about financial concerns, Follansbee Council agreed to raise its monthly garbage rates on Monday.

Following a second reading next month, the rates will be raised from $16 to $26 for residents and $33 to $43 for businesses.

Second Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich noted the move is expected to generate about $82,228 per month in revenue for the sanitation department, which currently takes in about $361,130 toward $439,952 in monthly expenses.

Any funds remaining are expected to go toward future needs, including the eventual replacement of a 2012 model garbage truck used by the department.

In a further effort to make the department self-sufficient, city officials have considered establishing a charge for trash that is in excess of that normally collected by the city’s sanitation crew. Workers have reported finding piles of trash at times that rival those put out for the city’s spring and fall cleanups.

Fifth Ward Councilman Joe Kafton said if an excess trash fee is to be charged, a clear definition should be established so residents are aware.

He suggested the charge could be assessed to residents who leave out more than three cans of trash and one bulky item while the city could continue to charge businesses for the trash that exceeds nine cans and one bulk item, as outlined in a current city ordinance.

Council is expected to vote on a specific amount at a future meeting.

There also was some discussion about whether to eliminate either or both of the city’s spring and fall cleanups.

But council ultimately agreed to hold the spring cleanup from April 20 through 24, with residents to leave out bulky items for pickup on their regular garbage days.

Paint that has been dried by adding sand or cat litter will be accepted. Construction materials, tires, car batteries, wet paint and oils will not.

It was noted at the same meeting that the city’s general fund is short about $300,000, of which about $281,000 was allocated for the water department.

Second Ward Councilman John Casinelli, who presided over the meeting in the mayor’s absence, noted the water department’s fund, like that for the sanitation department, is an enterprise fund, meaning those departments should generate sufficient revenue for their operations.

“The water can not be subsidized by the general fund,” he said, adding if that is necessary, it should come before council for a vote.

Manack-Stover said the situation may improve once revenue from water-rate increases approved by council in December start coming in.

She added money from the general fund also has been applied to the Raymond Street sewer line project until the city receives federal money that has been awarded for it.

But Casinelli said, “I think we really need to have a meeting with the water board. And our accountant. Our accountant needs to be here.”

Council members supported a special meeting for that purpose, but a date hasn’t been set.

In related business, council agreed to bill the city’s businesses for its business and occupation taxes on a quarterly, rather than yearly, basis to improve cash flow for the city’s operations, as recommended by Manack-Stover.

It was noted that businesses would still have the option of submitting their full payments at the start of the year.

Also on Monday:

• Council heard from Anthony Clements, executive director of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, who updated the panel on its efforts to foster economic development in Brooke and Hancock counties.

Follansbee is among local cities that contribute membership fees to support its efforts.

Clements said the former Follansbee Steel property at the city’s south end is among former industrial sites for which the economic development agency has acquired federal funds to assess or rehabilitate for future development.

He said on a smaller scale, the BDC will be aiding the new owner of the former Follansbee Landfill property in determining any environmental issues there.

The small parcel was acquired through a recent public auction by a local landscaping business.

• Eric Fithyan, president of the Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce, asked council’s permission to hold its series of free summer concerts at Follansbee Park.

Plans call for the first to be held on the evening of Memorial Day, with the others to follow on the fourth Mondays of each month through August. Concerts also will be held on the second Mondays of each month in Wellsburg.