Queenstown proposes phased 5% annual water and sewer rate increases through 2022

The Queenstown commissioners on June 12 opened a public hearing on Ordinance 19-03, which would increase monthly water and sewer usage rates by 5% per year for the next three fiscal years, from July 1, 2019 through July 1, 2022. President Thomas B. Willis, Jr. reviewed the phased proposal at the Town Office and the board solicited public comment.

Why it matters: Town officials said they prefer gradual increases to avoid a single, large jump that the clerk estimated would be roughly 30–35% and could pose a financial hardship for residents. The town is also confronting higher-than-expected wastewater costs tied to the operation of its wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), an issue that contributors at the hearing said underpins the need for new revenue.

Public comment and debate: Resident George Plumbo questioned why the town would spread increases over three years rather than make a one-time adjustment. "A one-time increase would be approximately 30-35%," the clerk said, and the phased approach was defended as less likely to create hardship. Patricia Bowell, the town's finance chair, clarified that consumption rates are fixed while water and sewer charges vary by usage.

Several speakers raised affordability concerns. "The town should find other ways to come up with money as people are on a fixed income," said Joe Kelkowski of Aker Road, opposing the increase. Commissioner Hogie Schuster countered with a personal example, saying the proposed plan would raise his bill by about $5 over three years and describing the increase as minimal.

Technical objections from a former town engineer: Peter Robertson, a registered professional engineer who previously served as town engineer and commissioner, criticized the WWTP's membrane technology as unsuitable for a town this size and said it would drive higher operating costs and complexity. Robertson said the town's sewer flow measures about 2.2 times its water demand, compared with an expected wastewater-to-water ratio near 0.9, which he described as evidence of substantial infiltration and inflow (I&I). He argued that if the fiscal shortfall is driven primarily by WWTP operating costs, the town should consider raising sewer rates only.

Next steps: The board did not vote on Ordinance 19-03 at the hearing. President Willis moved to close the public hearing and keep the record open for written comment until June 19, 2019; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Schuster and approved 3-0. The commissioners noted the issue would be appropriate for further discussion at a future town hall meeting and suggested staff and operators review Robertson's technical questions about membranes and I&I.