Poplar Bluff water and sewer customers will see annual increases in costs over the next five years, following a vote Monday by the city council.
The increases will start to be seen on bills in June, according to city officials. The per month rate increase for sewer services will be $1.36 in the first year and $2.79 per month for water customers.
The rate increases were discussed at the May 1 city council meeting and approved Monday.
The monthly rate for the average residential water services will go from $25.39 currently to $35.78 by 2027. The rates for residential sewer services will increase from $28 currently to $35.55 by 2027. These estimates are based on an average usage of 4,500 gallons per month.
Rates for commercial and industrial users will see the same percentage increase for both services, general manager Bill Bach said previously.
Water rates will increase by just under 41% by 2027, and sewer rates by almost 27%.
Bach told council members May 1 rate increases are required as part of an agreement tied to bond obligations used to improve the water and sewer systems
The increases are based on a cost of service and rate design study completed recently by Utility Financial Solutions, Bach told council members at the time.
Voters approved bonds in 2008 for the water department and in 2012 for the sewer department to make improvements to treatment facilities.
The base water and sewer costs are for per 1,000 gallons of usage. The current base rate is $12.43 for water and will go to $18.50 by 2027. The current base rate for sewer is $14.50 and will go to $20.25 by 2027.
Customers are charged per 1,000 gallons of service after the base rate. This cost will increase from $2.88 per 1,000 gallons for water services to $3.84 by 2027. The cost will increase from $3 per 1,000 gallons for sewer services to $3.40 by 2027.
The scheduled increase for average usage of 4,500 gallons per month is:
Water
Current, $25.39; 2023, $28.18; 2024, $31.31; 2025, $32.73; 2026, $34.24; and 2027, $35.78.
Sewer
Current, $28; 2023, $29.36; 2024, $30.77; 2025, $32.33; 2026,$33 94; and 2027, $35.55.
In other business, the council also:
• Discussed bids for vehicle lift for the motor pool department. Three bids ranging from approximately $9,500 to $12,900 were received.
• Discussed granting an easement to Spire on city-owned property at 2006 S. 11th St. The property was previously purchased by the city during a flood buyout program.
• Discussed an approximately $86,000 expense to purchase filler panels and end ramping to be used with basketball courts recently purchased for the Black River Coliseum.
• Approved bid for approximately $14,000 to restore the roof at Fire Station 3.
• Approved a change order for the Industrial Park Infrastructure Project, related to construction at the True Manufacturing site. The change order extends the deadline until the end of May for contractors to wrap up work delayed by weather.
• Approved the destruction of antiquated police department records.
• Approved a grant application to the Delta Regional Authority to update the city’s comprehensive plan.
• Approved an agreement for a grant to fund equipment for the police department.
• Approved an agreement with Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission for administrative services.