Waverly City Council is soon to hold a hearing on proposed rate increases. | Pixabay / Michal Jarmoluk
Waverly City Council is soon to hold a hearing on proposed rate increases. | Pixabay / Michal Jarmoluk
The Waverly City Council took action on proposed utility rate increases during a recent meeting.
The council proposed rate increases for both sewer utilities and solid waste disposal, and during the Feb. 6 meeting, it passed the first reading of the ordinances set to impact billing beginning in June. Council members planned to perform the second reading during their Feb. 20 meeting, when they would also set the public hearing and final vote for March 6.
According to the agenda description of Ordinance #1117, the water-sewer rates would grow by 3% both in June 2023 and June 2024. The minimum fees would rise to $11.91 per month for all meters under an inch, $12.84 per month for 1-1.5 meters, $51.80 per month for two meters, $79.30 per month for three meters, $134.53 per month for four meters and $318.13 meters for six meters.
In addition to the minimum monthly fees, there are the usage rates, which would begin at $4.86 per 100 cubic feet for the first 1,000 cubic feet and decrease with higher usages throughout the month. These rates would be used to calculate the next 3% increase in 2024, the agenda said.
"If it's not [actually 3%], the Chambers will start to fill up in the second and third readings," Councilman Matthew Schneider said, drawing a laugh out of other members.
Waverly's garbage disposal rates are set to increase as well as per the agenda. The monthly garbage fees are calculated by dumpster fees, the volume charge and trip fees. The dumpster fees are based on the size of the dumpster, with the smallest costing $5 a month and the largest costing $16.50 a month.
Trip fees are based on the frequency of a pickup, with one trip a week costing $21.67, two a week priced at $43.33, three a week at $65.00, four a week at $86.67 and five a week at $106.33, according to the agenda. The volume charge is based on the prior two figures.
Most users will receive a fairly high rise in their monthly charges, with one-per-week services showing increases between $2 and $15 and more frequent users with larger dumpsters seeing hikes of up to $65 a month.
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