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City to propose water and sewer rate increases as aging system needs $1.1M lift station project
Summary
Staff proposed a 7.5% base-rate increase on water and sewer to sustain enterprise fund capacity and pay for infrastructure including a Bumpy Road lift station estimated at $1.1M that carries 65% of city wastewater.
City staff reviewed enterprise finances and recommended a further water and sewer rate increase to maintain the enterprise fund and prepare for capital needs. “We anticipate total revenues of just slightly north of $9,700,000,” the Presenter said, and staff proposed a 7.5% base-rate increase to keep the fund in the black and to finance necessary debt service.
Staff described the Bumpy Road lift station retrofit as essential — the lift station carries about 65% of the city's wastewater flows and is undersized for future capacity. The lift station cost was presented at roughly $1.1 million and would require ancillary force-main work. Staff noted the BWA regional contract increases (illustrated by a $0.30 per 1,000 gallon change) that feed into local rate-setting and emphasized the need to model rate impacts on household bills: the typical household (4,300 gallons/month) could see roughly $8–$10 additional monthly cost under the proposed structure.
Council discussed timing and the need to model customer impacts and requested more detailed bill runs and sensitivity analysis before final adoption.
