Speedway council adopts sewer-rate ordinance after extended public hearing on wastewater upgrades

The Town of Speedway Council on March 9 approved Ordinance 1423, which amends sewer rates and charges to help finance required upgrades to the town’s wastewater treatment system.

The council adopted the ordinance — as amended to use a non‑reimbursed level financing option — by a 5-0 vote after an advertised public hearing in which residents pressed officials about the affordability of the increase, past maintenance decisions and which users will bear the cost. Town Manager Grant Kleinhens told the council that, based on current bids and the chosen financing approach, the typical residential account (4,400 gallons per month) would see an increase of about $11.14 per month, lower than the $12 that was advertised with the ordinance’s first reading.

Why it matters: Council and staff said the increase is driven by a state‑mandated agreement to address long‑standing sewage overflows and other compliance items at the wastewater plant, plus the need to replace aging equipment. Grant Kleinhens said engineering work and negotiations with the state reduced the scope and cost from initial estimates.

What residents said: The public hearing drew multiple residents who described out‑of‑pocket costs for previous sewer repairs and expressed worry about fixed‑income households. Michelle Combmes said she and a neighbor have paid about $42,000 combined for two separate sewer digs and cautioned that a higher monthly sewer charge would be a heavy burden. Terry Combmes noted limited income and asked why individual homeowners were expected to shoulder system‑level costs. Jordan Manin asked council to publish wastewater usage data to show whether large commercial users are paying a fair share.

Strong allegations and responses: Bill Hooper and other residents said the town had been in non‑compliance for multiple quarters and pressed the council on whether officials had delayed necessary work. Hooper also alleged that a nearby industrial customer had contributed to system problems, saying the facility’s sludge and chemical discharges harmed the plant. Terry Merrill, identifying himself as a co‑owner of Merrill Brothers, called those statements “absolutely false” and requested a meeting with the town to present supporting records. The council did not resolve those allegations at the hearing; officials said they will follow up and that the town is in negotiations and continuing oversight related to industrial discharges.

Council’s response and next steps: Several council members acknowledged the burden on residents but said delays would increase eventual costs. Councilor Nick Sturgeon said the decisions to raise rates were difficult but necessary to provide compliant wastewater service. Grant Kleinhens said staff will compile answers to residents’ questions and produce a FAQ and supporting data within about a week, including information about grant pursuit, usage allocations, and project timing. The ordinance’s amendment to the financing approach was described by staff as reducing the monthly effect compared with the originally advertised option.

The vote: Ordinance 1423 was approved 5-0 with the amended financing option. Council directed staff to return details publicly (via FAQ and online postings) and to continue contract and technical work tied to the wastewater project.