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Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority seeks $5 million as users face steep fee increases
Summary
Representative Fox and witnesses told the subcommittee the Lake Mitchell sewer system — built about 50 years ago — is experiencing pump failures and overflows; monthly rates increased from about $31.73 in 2016 to $174 today, and the authority requested $5,000,000 to prevent further rate shocks and protect tourism and downstream waterways.
Representative Fox presented a request for $5,000,000 on behalf of the Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority, saying the roughly 50-year-old sewer system is strained by pump failures and rising operational costs.
Fox said the authority assumed responsibility for the system after Wexford County and has been responding to repeated sanitary sewage overflows and pump failures; user fees have risen sharply in recent years to cover repair costs. He said the system currently serves more than 800 users and that some users are delinquent on payments; the figure of 9% delinquency was cited by Fox as a concern that increased user fees could lead to foreclosures and housing instability.
Fox noted the system’s role in supporting tourism and recreation (including Lake Mitchell State Park and Hemlock Campground) and asked the subcommittee to consider the authority’s place on the House’s transparency list of potential appropriations.
Members asked about additional local requests; no appropriation vote was taken during the meeting.
