Council OKs sewer rate increase

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Sewer rates will rise starting early next year after the City Council approved an ordinance increasing the base rate fee.

Read additional details in our newspaper or e-Edition. Newspaper subscribers: Click on an e-Edition article and log in using your current account information at no extra charge. For e-edition help, e-mail circ@newstribune.com. Click here to purchase the full version of archived articles.

At the council meeting Monday, members approved an ordinance that will lead the average customer within city limits to see a 50-cent increase, while customers outside the city will see a $1.50 increase.

The increase covers additional billing and collection expenses once Missouri American Water stops billing city customers Jan. 1. The base rate pays for administrative costs, not the cost of treatment.

Nathan Nickolaus, interim city administrator and city counselor, said the original increase was slated to cost $2, but city staff was able to bring the figure down to 50 cents.

The council also suspended the rules Monday to approve an ordinance establishing a moratorium on the Neighborhood Improvement Program.

More like this story

rodinman 1 year, 6 months ago

i wonder how many, probably none, of the council members in their businesses charge non-city residents more for services. Not good for the business nor the image. I propose folks begin to boycott any businesses the council members are associated with.

Gabrielle 1 year, 6 months ago

I would like to know - why the increase?

Gabrielle 1 year, 6 months ago

To edify: why the increase of 50 cents when the cost was initially $2? ... I am glad our government officials are efficient with our money. What is the actual cost of the billing?....and why the change in billing?

gary_castor 1 year, 6 months ago

The change in the billing is to cover additional billing and collection expenses once Missouri American Water stops billing city customers Jan. 1. The base rate, city officials said, pays for administrative costs the city is assuming.

JCLifer 1 year, 6 months ago

So how much will the MO-AM bills be reduced since they don't have to do all this work anymore?

spelchek 1 year, 6 months ago

This stinks.

CommonSenseIsDead 1 year, 6 months ago

I live in the county, and I don't get billed by Missouri-American Water. I get billed by JC Utilities. This means I shouldn't see an increase as there won't be any additional cost associated with billing me, but I'm sure I'm included in the $1.50 increase.

Please review our Policies and Procedures before registering or commenting

Or login with:

OpenID

News Tribune