The Laurel City Council approved resolutions this month that could lead to an increase in the water and sewer rates in the city by three percent. With a 6-0 vote, the council this month agreed to approve the first reading of the ordinances regarding rate increases.
The administration and the city council of the city of Laurel have previously adopted ordinances establishing the rates for the city’s water services and sewer services. According to city council guidelines, an ordinance requires two readings before it is approved. The council conducted the required readings of the ordinance at its March 3rd and March 17th meetings.
City officials during the council’s recent meetings approved a three percent increase in the water rate and a three percent increase in the sewer rate to begin in May.
Mayor Johnny Magee said he supports the increase and recommended the increases to the city council.
“I think we are all familiar with the fact that whatever is done concerning water and sewer must be paid for out of the Public Utility Fund, which includes the monthly water and sewer bills,” the mayor said. “This is the reason that it is suggested by all knowledgeable about the system that small increases be done annually so that we can continue with the repairs and replacements that are needed for our system.”
The proposed changes to the water rate are:
*The minimum rate charge for residential customers inside the city will increase from $12.83 to $13.21 for 3,000 gallons or any part thereof plus from $3.22 to $3.32 per thousand gallons used beyond the first 3,000 gallons.
*The minimum rate charge for residential customers outside the city will increase from $19.29 to $19.87 for 3,000 gallons or any part thereof plus from $4.81 to $4.95 per thousand gallons used beyond the first 3,000 gallons.
*The minimum rate charge for commercial customers inside the city will increase from $19.29 to $19.87 for 3,000 gallons or any part thereof plus from$3.22 to $3.32 per thousand gallons used beyond the first 3,000 gallons.
*The minimum rate charge for commercial customers outside the city will increase from $28.92 to $29.79 for 3,000 gallons or any part thereof plus from $4.81 to $4.95 per thousand gallons used beyond the first 3,000 gallons.
*Industrial customers will be charged a combined water/sewer rate that will increase from $3.91 to $4.03 per thousand gallons used.
According to the city’s ordinance, to qualify for industrial rates, the customer shall average 5 million or more gallons per month for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the city’s billing cycle.
Bulk water sales from Water Plant No. 2 charge will increase from $4.99 to $5.14 per thousand gallons.
SEWER RATE INCREASES
Concerning the sewer rates, city officials are also recommending that a rate of three percent be used in calculating the increase to residents and users’ sewer charge.
The proposed changes to the sewer rate are:
*The minimum charge for residential customers inside the city would increase from $19.29 to $19.87 for 3,000 gallons or any part thereof plus $5.30 up from the current charge of $5.14 per thousand gallons used beyond the first 3,000 gallons.
*The minimum charge for residential customers outside the city would increase from $29.33 to $30.21 for 3,000 gallons or any part thereof plus $7.93, which is up from the current rate of $7.70 per thousand gallons used beyond the first 3,000 gallons.
*The minimum charge for commercial customers inside the city would increase from $21.84 to $22.50 for 3,000 gallons or any part thereof plus $5.30 up from the current rate of $5.14 per thousand gallons used beyond the first 3,000 gallons.
However, the ordinance also states that “any customer who, on or before the effective date of this ordinance, is discharging non-city generated water into the city sewer system in a volume not less than three million gallons per month average for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the effective date of the ordinance, and continuing in such volume thereafter, will be charged $2.44 per thousand gallon to $2.51 per thousand gallons. This exception only applies to customers who meet this minimum volume on September 21, 2010.”
*The minimum charge for commercial customers outside the city will increase from $32.75 to $33.73 for 3,000 gallons or any part thereof plus $7.93 up from the current charge of $7.70 per thousand gallons used beyond the first 3,000 gallons.
*Industrial customers charge for a combined water/sewer rate would increase from $3.91 to $4.03 per thousand gallons used.
According to the city’s ordinance, to qualify for industrial rates, the customer shall average 5 million or more gallons per month for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the billing cycle.
Industrial users outside the city limits of Laurel for which the city does not provide the water shall pay for sewer at the rat e would increase to $3.82 up from the current rate of $3.71 per thousand gallons of water used.
Where a special pump station is required, such industrial user shall pay an additional fee. That fee would increase from $757 per month to $780 per month for operation and maintenance.
Based on the council’s actions, the proposed three percent increase in the rates will begin May 1. The ordinances state that the increases are scheduled to start in May to “ensure that the public utility fund can remain adequately funded.”