The Sewer Advisory Group will host an upcoming public meeting to allow residents to learn more about proposed changes to the City's sanitary sewer rates. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 7 in the Omni Room of the
The proposal calls for increasing sewer rates by 25%. City Council is expected to take a final vote on the proposed increase at its February 13 meeting. If approved, the new rates would take effect on March 1. The Board of Public Works has approved the rate change.
Sewer rates have not been raised since 2001. The last rate increase resulted in over $100 million in sanitary sewer system improvements and the rehabilitation of more than 43 miles of sewer lines.
Over the past several months, City officials have held a series of public meetings to discuss the proposed increase.
Impact on homeowner:
* Small residential user (five units) currently pays $11.93 per month
* This same user would see an increase of $2.98 per month for a total of $14.91 per month
* Family residential user (ten units) currently pays $21.63 per month
* This same user would see an increase of $5.41 per month for a total of $27.04 per month
The increase would allow City Utilities to:
* Invest in high value combined sewer system projects
* Continue to invest in pipeline and treatment system rehabilitation work
* Invest in sanitary sewer interceptors to create capacity for future growth and economic development
* Issue a bond for $25-$30 million to construct major projects