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Long Prairie council reviews sewer rate study, hears explanation for proposed increase
Summary
At a Dec. 16 work session the Long Prairie City Council heard from Ehlers Financial that a five-year rate freeze and rising costs for chemicals, buildings, lift stations and sewer work tied to the 2022 Road Project are driving a recommended sewer rate increase; the council took no formal vote on new rates.
The Long Prairie City Council on Monday reviewed a sanitary sewer cost-of-service study and heard that a five-year freeze on rates, combined with higher system costs, is behind a proposed increase.
Mayor David Wright called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and noted the presence of Council Members Lilah Gripne, Jim Kreemer, Clint Krueger and JoAnn Schroeder and City Administrator/Clerk Candace Bruder. The council approved the meeting agenda on a motion by Council Member Lilah Gripne, seconded by JoAnn Schroeder; the motion carried unanimously.
Jessica Cook, a representative from Ehlers Financial, summarized the cost drivers the study identifies. "The rates have been the same for 5 years and that is why it is a larger increase based on the cost of chemicals, buildings, lift station and the 2022 Road Project and the sewer components of that project and miscellaneous expenses associated," Cook said. Council members treated the presentation as informational; the transcript does not record any vote to adopt new rates or a specific percentage change.
The presentation framed the proposed change as a routine five-year cost-of-service review that the city’s industrial user agreements require. Cook tied the need to update charges to multiple factors she named, including chemical prices, building and lift-station upkeep, and sewer-related work from the 2022 Road Project.
No formal motion to set or adopt new sewer rates was recorded during the session. After the discussion, Council Member Jim Kreemer moved to adjourn; Council Member Lilah Gripne seconded and the meeting ended at 6:36 p.m.
City officials did not list a proposed new rate or percentage in the meeting transcript; the record shows an informational presentation and routine motions but no action to change customer charges.
