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Muskegon County moves forward with water and sewer rate study, staff proposes meter-size connection fee
Summary
Muskegon County voted to commission a water and sewer rate study to evaluate expenses, upcoming capital projects and fund balances; Public Works Director Dan recommended considering a switch from a residential-equivalent-unit connection fee to a meter-size basis.
Muskegon County officials voted to proceed with a study of water and sewer rates aimed at ensuring the utility is charging customers appropriately and has sufficient fund balance for planned projects. "So every 4 or 5 years, we like to have our rates reviewed," Public Works Director Dan said, describing the routine review process.
Dan told the board the study will evaluate operating expenses, potential capital improvements and whether the utility has enough reserve to cover upcoming projects. He flagged the county's connection fee structure as a target for review: "Right now, it's based on a residential equivalent unit. We think that's an antiquated system," Dan said, and recommended the consultant examine alternatives, including a connection fee based on meter size.
The water policy board has already endorsed the review; an unidentified representative told the board it "unanimously passed this going forward for the rate study." Board members framed the study as a technical review rather than a policy decision, meaning any later proposals to change rates or fees would return for formal board consideration.
The move to commission the study follows staff requests to ensure rate-setting keeps pace with capital needs and makes the utility’s charges easier for customers to understand. The board did not adopt any new rates at the meeting; the study will inform future decisions and any proposed rate adjustments would come back to the board for approval.
