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Council approves wastewater and septic fee increases citing rising disposal and permitting costs
Summary
The council approved raising the annual wastewater base fee from $350 to $400 and boosting the excess-use charge from $4.40 to $4.80 per 100 cubic feet over 10,000; the septic tip fee for haulers will rise from $90 to $95 per 1,000 gallons.
The Town Council voted to raise several user fees tied to wastewater services, citing climbing chemical, disposal and permitting costs for the treatment plant.
Rich Bourbonnais (Public Works) presented the measures, saying the annual base wastewater user fee would increase from $350 to $400 per service connection and the excess-use charge would move from $4.40 to $4.80 per 100 cubic feet for annual usage over 10,000 cubic feet. He said typical single-family daily usage averages 30–35 cubic feet (about 350 gallons), but irrigation can increase consumption. “We don't have a choice,” Bourbonnais said, pointing to rising chemical and disposal costs and new testing/permit requirements.
The council also approved raising the septic-hauler tip fee from $90 to $95 per 1,000 gallons, with staff noting the facility’s limited capacity and regional pricing as factors. Both fee items passed after brief council discussion and voice votes.
Officials said the wastewater enterprise fund is self-contained and funded by users; even with the increases, the town’s rates remain among the lower rates in the state based on the comparisons provided.
