Caught last night's meeting discussing proposed increase in city water and sewer rates. The summary of our systems is that, while the systems are well maintained, there is a need to replace significant amount of pipe and tanks that are damaged due to wear and tear and aging. The city has averaged about 61 water main breaks and just over 120 sewer line stoppages per year over the past 4 years (significantly higher in 2008 due to damage caused by the windstorm). Needed repairs include replacing water mains, lining sewer pipes, repairs to sewer lines, replacement of underground tanks and enlargement of some mains, and looping of water lines.
Currently the city charges residential and commercial customers $3.35 per 1,000 gallons, with a minimum monthly fee of $10.05 for the initial 3,000 gallons Sewer fees run $3.56 per 1000 gallons.
The proposed rate increases would eliminate the minimum monthly fee and generate approximately $10 million over the next 5 years. This would fix the most immediate problems and see us well into this century (To bring the entire system to tip top shape would cost an estimated $50 million). If you are a low use user (1000 gallons per month, your approximate rates would would run $21.78 in 2012 then drop too $14.67 in 2013 and increase up to $19.01 in 2016. A moderate level user (2600 gallons per month) would see rates increase from $21.78 in 2012 to $27.31 in 2013 and to $35.41 by 2016. A high usage customer (4200 gallons) would see rates increase from $30.49 in 2012 to $39.95 in 2013 and up to $51.81 by 2016. The city does not expect to see rates drop back to pre-repair numbers after the repair work is completed.
Currently the city charges residential and commercial customers $3.35 per 1,000 gallons, with a minimum monthly fee of $10.05 for the initial 3,000 gallons Sewer fees run $3.56 per 1000 gallons.
The proposed rate increases would eliminate the minimum monthly fee and generate approximately $10 million over the next 5 years. This would fix the most immediate problems and see us well into this century (To bring the entire system to tip top shape would cost an estimated $50 million). If you are a low use user (1000 gallons per month, your approximate rates would would run $21.78 in 2012 then drop too $14.67 in 2013 and increase up to $19.01 in 2016. A moderate level user (2600 gallons per month) would see rates increase from $21.78 in 2012 to $27.31 in 2013 and to $35.41 by 2016. A high usage customer (4200 gallons) would see rates increase from $30.49 in 2012 to $39.95 in 2013 and up to $51.81 by 2016. The city does not expect to see rates drop back to pre-repair numbers after the repair work is completed.
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