MOKANE – The Mokane Board of Aldermen unanimously approved the gradual increase in water and wastewater charges on Friday.
Now, as of April, Mokane customers owe $ 40 for sewers and $ 35 for water supplies. In July the fees rise to $ 45 for sewer and $ 50 for water. In October, sewer fees will rise to $ 49 and water to $ 55.
The fees remain in place until the city installs new meters. At this point, the charges will move to a metering system where each resident is expected to pay an as yet undetermined base price and additional charges based on usage.
The city has informed the municipality that the increases have taken place several times in recent months, including during a public meeting on March 22nd. The rate increases will help the city pay for the massive water and sanitation projects it is working on.
The exact figures are based on a rate study carried out by the consultant CPWG Engineering. The city opted for three smaller increases over the next several months rather than increasing fees all at once.
“We had completed a rate study,” said Mayor Jo Belmont. “What we did is take what we are paying now and what the tariff study said to meet our (obligations), and then I just divided it by three.”
Board member Chad Booher said he heard people say they were excited about the sewage and water projects.
“What we hear are people talking about how much better their property value is going to be,” Booher said.
Residents are less enthusiastic about the increased fees for the work.
“They just don’t like the rate hike,” said board member Debra Taylor. “Well, nobody really likes a rate hike, but to have better infrastructure we have to.”
One complaint is that the increases increase rates for all residents regardless of their usage, but equity is an ultimate goal of the city.
“That’s one of the reasons we’re doing it,” said Booher. “It will be more just for the people who live here, and it will be a much better water system.”
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