(Spirit Lake)– Spirit Lake residents could once again be paying more for water and sewer rates.
The city council Tuesday held the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would increase the rates in stages, beginning this coming November. Additional increases would be scheduled for July, 2009; July, 2010 and in July 2012.
City Administrator Mark Stevens told the council the increases are needed to cover some major projects in the water and sewer departments totaling about seven million dollars. They include the new million gallon water tower on the city’s south side; an expansion of the water treatment plant; and improvements being made to the city’s sanitary sewer system to prevent basement back-ups and other issues.
Stevens says the increases for residential customers would be smaller than those for larger users (see breakdown). He says the goal is to phase out a volume discount that’s been in place for large users in order to encourage conservation.
A motion to waive the second and third readings and adopt the ordinance failed, meaning it will have to go before the council atleast one more time before it’s adopted.
Councilman Steve Balm said he feels it’s important the council give the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed increases before they’re adopted, adding many in the city weren’t aware of what was being proposed.
Here’s a breakdown on the proposed increases:
Water 11/08 7/09 7/10 7/12
Cust. charge 5.0% 4.8% 4.5% 4.3%
0-50,000 gal 2.1% 5.0% 5.2% 3.0%
50,000 gal + 3.8% 7.0% 8.1% 5.4%
Sewer
Cust. charge 3.0% 2.9% 2.9% -0-
Rate per 1,000 gal 2.7% 3.5% 2.6% -0-
