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Harwood council hikes sewer charge after unannounced Fargo rate increase
Summary
The Harwood City Council approved a $3.50 increase to each utility bill to cover an uncommunicated sewer rate rise by Fargo and tasked the mayor to seek reimbursement for January and February billings sent without notice.
The Harwood City Council voted March 3 to raise sewer charges by $3.50 per utility bill after the city learned Fargo had increased its sewer rate without informing Harwood. City Auditor Chayla Hansen told the council Harwood received no prior notice of Fargo’s increase and recommended the adjustment to cover the added cost.
Council member Chris Fix moved to add $3.50 to each utility bill starting with March readings; Jamie Nettum seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The council recorded that the mayor would contact the City of Fargo to inquire about possible reimbursement for January and February billings that were issued before Harwood learned of the change.
The action was procedural and meant to keep the city’s utility fund from absorbing the unplanned cost; the motion carried with all present voting aye. No ordinance or long-term rate schedule change was adopted at the meeting. The council did not specify the anticipated revenue total from the increase or any formal timeline for when Fargo would respond to the mayor’s inquiry.
