The Jamestown City Council is examining a water & sewer rate increase that is desperately needed, according to the engineering firm that conducted a rate study for the city.
No action was taken at last night’s special-called council meeting, but the council met for more than 90 minutes discussing the issue. Exactly how much of an increase is still up in the air as a new ordinance was not proposed last night, and likely won’t be until next month.
Kenvirons, the engineering consulting firm out of Frankfort that performed the rate study, presented slides to the council last night that presented a 20-21 percent increase on water rates along with a roughly 50 percent increase on sewer rates.
A proposal on water rates could be slightly higher if the city opts for an ordinance that would provide more funds for the depreciation of equipment.
The increases would be across the board for residential and commercial customers inside and outside the city limits, as well as wholesale users if the city adopts an ordinance based on the recommendation of the consultants.
While revenues for the city’s water and sewer departments have been consistent, expenses have increased.
The rate study shows the city needs an additional roughly $497,000 for the water system fund and an additional $389,000 roughly for the sewer fund each year to satisfy agency requirements, provide capital for upcoming projects, and maintain financial independence for each fund.
