Jefferson looks at water, sewer rate increases
Some major water and sewer rate increases are being considered by the Jefferson City Council to help balance the 2009 budget, which is expected to be tight due to fewer tap fees being sold.
Customers who use less than 2,000 gallons of water per month will see no change to their water and sewer bills. Those who use less than 6,000 gallons per month will see their bill increase by $8.45 per month, or about 16 percent. Officials said two-thirds of all users use less than 6,000 gal. per month.
The biggest increase will be for major commercial users. A commercial user, such as a restaurant, that uses 22,500 gallons per month will see its rate increase from $244 to $345, a 41 percent jump.
A very high commercial user that uses 975,000 gallons or more per month will see its bill go from $10,618 per month to $13,912 per month.
The water rate increases are expected to generate 22 percent more in water sales revenue to the city next year to $3.2 millon, up from $2.6 million in the 2008 budget.
The Jefferson water and sewer budget also calls for a five percent pay hike for all water and sewer department employees.
The new rate schedule for residential, commercial and industrial was presented to the Jefferson City Council last week for consideration. Action will be taken at the next meeting, set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, at the civic center.
Customers who use less than 2,000 gallons of water per month will see no change to their water and sewer bills. Those who use less than 6,000 gallons per month will see their bill increase by $8.45 per month, or about 16 percent. Officials said two-thirds of all users use less than 6,000 gal. per month.
The biggest increase will be for major commercial users. A commercial user, such as a restaurant, that uses 22,500 gallons per month will see its rate increase from $244 to $345, a 41 percent jump.
A very high commercial user that uses 975,000 gallons or more per month will see its bill go from $10,618 per month to $13,912 per month.
The water rate increases are expected to generate 22 percent more in water sales revenue to the city next year to $3.2 millon, up from $2.6 million in the 2008 budget.
The Jefferson water and sewer budget also calls for a five percent pay hike for all water and sewer department employees.
The new rate schedule for residential, commercial and industrial was presented to the Jefferson City Council last week for consideration. Action will be taken at the next meeting, set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, at the civic center.
We, as customers, are now going to be charged more for the water that earlier this year we were told to cut back on using? I am one of the two-thirds out there that use less than 6000 gallons, but this increase is going to effect me more than just at home. Restaurants, car washes, and other local establishments that are already struggling to pay their bills, are going to need to make up the difference somewhere. While I know that they do not want to, those costs will be passed down to us as well.
It would seem to me that if the water company wants to increase their revenue then they need to look at ways to streamline their activities... or at least let me wash my car once and a while.
Now that may not be possible, but it is a suggestion.
What really bothers me about this is they want to charge more and get a raise at a time when everyone is making less or getting fired?
I think they should skip the raise and pass the saving on to us for the time being.