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Runnemede council discusses 2% sewer rate increase to smooth financing of sewer projects
Summary
Council members and staff discussed a nominal 2% sewer‑rate increase to avoid larger future hikes and to help cover financing costs for recent sewer/road projects; staff were asked to introduce the ordinance next week with a public hearing at caucus and an effective date targeted for April 1.
Councilors on Jan. 22 discussed a proposed 2% increase to sewer utility bills intended to slow the need for a larger, later adjustment and to help pay for recent projects placed into temporary financing.
Shelley, the CFO, and Beth (clerk/finance staff) explained that the Davis Road sewer project remains in temporary financing; the borough received an interest credit on the temporary financing so far, but the final permanent‑financing amounts remain to be determined once the project is rolled into permanent bonds. Council discussed modest, staged increases versus a single larger hike and recognized the need to treat customers equitably across account types.
Councillors noted that a 2% increase would generate about $18,000 in additional annual revenue based on current billings and would raise a typical residential semiannual bill by roughly $3.80 (staff indicated the number would likely be rounded in the billing system). Council members asked staff to introduce a rate ordinance at next week’s meeting, schedule the public hearing at caucus, and make the new rate effective April 1 if adopted.
Next steps: staff will prepare a sewer‑rate ordinance for introduction, and the clerk will publish notice and schedule the public hearing as required by statute.
