Thu Feb 09 2012
by Laura Freeman
Reporter
Hudson -- Residents may pay 5 percent more for water and sewer service in 2010 if Council approves two ordinances introduced Feb. 3.
Council could vote on the rate increases for water and sewer customers in the city by March 3.
The water and sewer rates were last revised in 2003. All customers who use metered water would see an increase based on meter size or tap size, which is the basis to estimate annual consumption.
A typical homeowner would see an increase of about 50 cents per month from $9.98 to $10.48. Customers with larger connections would see an increase of $1 per month to $15 per month, depending on the size.
Sewer rates would be $6.64 per 100 cubic feet of water used measured by municipal water meters. For those who do not receive municipal water, the amount of sewage can be measured by a city-approved meter installed at the expense of the property owner. All other users of the city sewer system will pay $74.18 per month.
All customers whose improvements are connected to the sanitary sewer system, which is part of the water resource department, will pay an availability charge for general standby capacity of $7.82.
The city's five-year budget predicts a 5 percent increase per year in the water rates in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and in sewer rates from 2010 through 2013, according to City Finance Director Jeff Knoblauch.
The rate increases for future years have not been approved by Council but are projected in future budgets, according to Communications Manager Jody Roberts.
The proposed sewer hikes stem from increased operating costs, annual capital improvements to the system and the fee for Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, which also increases yearly, Roberts said.
She said NEORSD has increased costs 9 percent per year, but the city only plans to increase fees by 5 percent.
In the last few years, capital improvements to the sanitary sewer system have been targeted at eliminating inflow and infiltration, where clean stormwater infiltrates the sanitary sewer system, resulting in higher costs for the city.
"The more clean water we can keep out of the sewer system, the more we'll see significant decreases in costs," Roberts said.
E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
Hudsonhubtimes.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Record Publishing Co, LLC. 1995-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications