Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Friday

March 12, 2010

City could increase water, sewer rates

BY ART BUKOWSKI

TRAVERSE CITY -- City residents could see a hike in their water and sewer rates this summer, the second such increase in as many years.

City Treasurer Bill Twietmeyer recently proposed rate increases for the 2010-11 budget year. If city commissioners approve, new rates will take affect July 1.

Water would go from $8.50 a month for the first 600 cubic feet to $10, and sewer would increase from $27 to $29 for the same amount. This means most city residents' monthly bills for water would go from about $15.30 to $18, and sewer would climb from about $40.50 to $43.50, based on average uses.

Twietmeyer said the increases are necessary to fund a series of equipment and infrastructure improvement projects scheduled for later this year and in the next few years.

"Infrastructure is expensive, and you have to pay for it somehow ... there's really no other sources of revenue," he said.

Water and sewer funds are independent by law. Money collected is required to be spent improving and maintaining water and sewer infrastructure, Twietmeyer said.

Among the projects scheduled:

-- Installation of a new raw water intake pipe at the wastewater treatment plant for about $ 4 million.

-- Reservoir repairs for about $750,000.

-- Ultraviolet disinfecting project at wastewater treatment plant for $500,000

-- Pump upgrades for $2.15 million

Water and sewer rates went up last July 1, as well. Base rates went from $25 a month to $27 for sewer, and $7.50 a month for water to $8.50.

Prior to that, water and sewer rates hadn't been hiked since 2001 and 2002, respectively.

The city commission must approve a 2010-11 budget by late May.

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