This week the Sheridan Village Board held a public hearing on the board's recommendation to levy property taxes at a rate of 300 percent for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Believing the December meeting would draw a large crowd, the board moved its regular meeting from Village Hall to the American Legion Hall. But only seven people attended the hearing.

And even before the tax levy could be discussed, one resident, Patty Daugherty, wanted answers to why a $10 a month sewer use fee, instituted about six months ago, was needed.

"Do you bill the prison (Sheridan Correctional Center) and the school for sewer usage?" she asked the board.

"Yes, we do and it's based on a percentage of the prison population," Village Attorney Richard Burton replied. "We have a formula that we can show you if you stop by Village Hall."

Shelly Figgins, village trustee and member of the finance committee, noted the monthly prison sewer usage charge is about $138. A formula was devised because both the school and prison maintain their own pressurized sewer lines and do not have the same issues as those of the 61-year-old sewer lines in town that branch out to so many homes. Homeowners are responsible for maintaining the lines going from their homes to the road.

"Somehow that doesn't make sense," Daugherty replied. "We pay $10 a month and the prison with a population of 1,300 pays only $138?"

Trustee Jeff Wilhelm elaborated on the sewer usage fee. "Six months ago, we could not borrow any money to help us pay for our sewer projects. We could not get a low-interest loan from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) because we weren't collecting maintenance money, meaning that we had no real source of revenue to repay a loan."

"When one of our sewer lines plug up, the village spends $2,000 to $3,000 to repair it," Village President Mike Anderson added. "This is money we do not have, yet we have to find a way to repair them."

Trustee Bill Clemens said if a homeowner had to repair their sewer line, they would be looking at about a $7,000 repair bill. "But if a block in town needs line repair, we're talking about spending $200,000 and there's not a dime coming into the village to pay for this. We have nothing set aside for sewer maintenance."

All property taxes go to the village for village expenses. None of the tax revenue is earmarked for supporting any sewer maintenance. The village needs a dedicated source of revenue that will give them options when applying for sewer project grants or low-interest loans.

"If you have any questions or concerns about this, you can talk to any of our trustees because this issue will not disappear," Burton continued.

"Yes, but will it make any difference? Will the board pay attention?" Daugherty asked. "If the board discovers it is wrong in collecting this usage fee or increasing our taxes, will they say they made a mistake?"

"Of course it will make a difference," Burton replied. "This is one of our more responsible boards and they listen to the residents. Anyone can stop by Village Hall and we'll be happy to answer your questions."