At the Alden City Council meeting Monday, the council addressed several community issues, including a rate increase for water and sewer services. Mayor Harley Mourlam opened a public hearing to discuss a proposed 4% hike in the rates, no public comments were received. New rates, set to take effect in December 2025, will raise water fees to $7.97 per 1,000 gallons and sewer rates to a base rate of $15.59, plus $1.22 per 1,000 gallons. The council approved the first reading of the ordinance, waiving the second and third readings for immediate adoption.
Council members also approved several resolutions, including the annual Alden Urban Renewal Report and the city’s financial statement for FY 2024-25. Additionally, a street closure for a fire training burn on September 18th was granted, and the date for Alden’s annual Trick-or-Treat event was set for October 30th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
In public input, a series of nuisance properties were discussed, and the council instructed the city clerk to send notices for cleanup. Issues such as overgrown yards, junk, and dilapidated structures were among the most cited concerns. Council members also responded to questions about the installation of water services at the campground, with plans to apply for grant funding.
The meeting ended with a discussion about speeding on East and Alden Streets, with temporary speed bumps under consideration. A request was made to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department for more coverage due to the number of children that play in that area.
