Random Lake finance committee recommends raising sewer late fee to 3%

The Random Lake Finance Committee voted 2-0 on May 11 to recommend that the village board raise the sewer late fee from 1% to 3%, after members discussed persistent delinquent utility accounts and operational issues that have complicated shutoffs.

The recommendation, made by Member Chuck Mueller and seconded by Chairman Dave Borchardt, followed a committee briefing from Clerk/Treasurer Stephanie Waala that some customer shutoffs have not been completed because valves either cannot be located or do not function. DPW Director Peter Lederer told the committee there are “hundreds of valves” in the village that either won’t shut off or cannot be found, complicating enforcement of delinquent accounts.

Waala told the committee the meeting packet included a comparison of late-fee percentages used by other municipalities and noted that the Public Service Commission regulates water fees while the village retains authority over the sewer late fee. Duane Urbanski suggested standardizing how main shutoffs are located on new homes to reduce future operational problems.

Member Mueller moved to recommend increasing the sewer late fee from 1% to 3%; Chairman Borchardt seconded the motion, which carried 2-0. The committee did not take a final board-level vote; the recommendation will be forwarded to the village board for consideration and any formal ordinance or fee change.

The committee also discussed operational follow-ups: improving documentation for shutoff locations on new construction and potential technical remedies to locate or repair nonworking valves. No timetable was set for when the village board would act on the committee’s recommendation.