Sean C. Morgan
An increase in wastewater rates took effect Nov. 18 and is being reflected in water-wastewater utility bills this this month.
On average, the monthly increase will amount to $17.10. That’s for residential customers who expel 600 cubic feet of water each month, the average for Sweet Home. The charge will increase from $93.69 to $110.79 at that level of use.
Each 100 cubic feet equates to approximately 748 gallons.
The council approved the rate increase in late October to shore up revenue for the fiscal year, which began on July 1 and ends June 30.
In that October meeting, City Manager Ray Towry told the council that the wastewater fund was running short about $33,000 and using general fund and special fund money to cover the shortfall and “stop the bleeding.”
The council approved an option to keep the base rate the same, $40.87, and increase the commodity rate from $6.12 to $9.78. Previously 400 cubic feet of wastewater were included with the base rate. That was changed to 300 cubic feet.
The commodity rate is applied for each 100 cubic feet of use after the first 300 cubic feet.
Councilors did not alter the water rate structure. The base charge remains $26.58, and the commodity rate continues at $6.50 per 100 cubic feet, with the first 400 cubic feet included with the base charge.
The last rate change took effect on July 21, 2016.
The monthly utility bill from the city also includes a $1 charge in most cases for stormwater management costs.
The council will review rates again in the spring, which is when the city prepares its budget for the next fiscal year.
Several policies have changed and taken effect as well.
Among them:
– All past-due balances must be paid in full by the date of delinquency notices to avoid the city turning off water service.
– If a service is turned off for nonpayment, the balance must be paid in full before service will be restored.
– New services will be denied at properties with unpaid bills whether incurred by the current or prior property owner or tenant. In October, the city had nearly $200,000 in unpaid utility bills. Previously, the city had allowed accounts to carry up to $80 past due.
Payment arrangements may be allowed only under unusual circumstance, such as a leak that is so large that a customer cannot pay for it in one month.
– The leak adjustment policy also has been altered. Leaks may be adjusted once in a rolling 12-month period instead of six months. It is limited to two billing cycles.
City staff had been adjusting up to six billing cycles, which, officials say, had discouraged timely repairs.
In 2016, the city adjusted some $69,000 in sewer bills.