There will be a water rate increase of 7% and a sewer rate increase of 6% in the city of St. Joseph after city commissioners approved the change Monday night. Commissioners were told the Water Services Joint Operating Board established the increases in February, deeming them necessary to fund ongoing water and sewer system improvements. City Manager John Hodgson said there was already a plan to raise rates, and the replacement of lead water lines factors in.
“When we did the asset management plan, that led to an intentional plan, about a five year program, that we were able to stick with for a few years until, once again, the state changed the rules out from underneath us, and that’s what you’re seeing here, like the lead service costs.”
The overall quarterly increase for a typical city residential account is about $10.93 per quarter. That’s an increase of $43.72 per year, from the current $198.25 average bill per quarter to $209.18 per quarter. Hodgson noted the decision was made several years ago yearly increases would be needed to fund water system work. The new rates take effect in July.
