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The St. James City Council approved rate increases for water, wastewater and sanitation utilities at its meeting Monday.
Council members addressed water and wastewater rate increases for the City of St. James.
Both water and wastewater rates were approved to receive a graduated increase of 10 percent in 2011 and 10 percent in 2012.
The current rate structure for water includes: $6 for the base rate of up to 3,000 gallons, $.2/100 gallons to 10,000 gallons and $.16/100 gallons over 10,000 gallons. The rate structure would be changed to: $6.60 for the base rate up to 3,000 gallons, $.22/100 gallons to 10,000 gallons and $.18/100 gallons over 10,000 gallons.
The rate increase for water will result in approximately $28,000 in annual revenues.
The current rate structure for wastewater includes: $5.4 for the base rate of up to 3,000 gallons and $.18/100 gallons. The rate structure would be changed to: $8.10 for the base rate of up to 3,000 gallons and $.27/100 gallons to 10,000 gallons.
The rate increase for wastewater will result in approximately $121,500 in annual revenues.
Mayor Dennis Wilson noted the study being completed on the City's water treatment plant and said improvements would be needed in the near future to keep in compliance with regulations.
Council members also approved rate increases for sanitation, including limiting the number of trash bags to be picked up from each residence.
Council member David Watkins addressed the rate increase.
“We are barely getting by right now. We have absolutely nothing to purchase vehicles with. The only thing we've got is if there's carry over,” Watkins said. “We are trying to pay the bills and keep our sanitation equipment a float.”
The ordinance approved stated sanitation pick up rate charges for residential and commercial properties have not been increased since 1996 and dumpster fees since 2001.
Council members noted the increase in tonnage, which was cited in the ordinance as approximately 25 percent, as well as citing increased tippage fees.
Watkins also noted a goal of the rate increase is to put $2,400 of the expected $3,300 a month in generated funds toward the purchase of a new truck. Trucks typically cost between $125,000 to $129,000, Watkins said.
The approved rate increase for 2011 changed residential fees from $9.40 per month to $10.90 per month and commercial fees from $11.65 per month to $12.23 per month.
The trash bag limit approved was seven, 30-gallon bags per residence per week and an extra charge of $1 to be assessed for each additional bag.
Watkins explained each truck would be equipped with a camera to photograph extra trash accountable.
All trash will be picked up but residences would be billed through the Utility Office for extra trash bags.
The St. James City Council approved rate increases for water, wastewater and sanitation utilities at its meeting Monday.
Council members addressed water and wastewater rate increases for the City of St. James.
Both water and wastewater rates were approved to receive a graduated increase of 10 percent in 2011 and 10 percent in 2012.
The current rate structure for water includes: $6 for the base rate of up to 3,000 gallons, $.2/100 gallons to 10,000 gallons and $.16/100 gallons over 10,000 gallons. The rate structure would be changed to: $6.60 for the base rate up to 3,000 gallons, $.22/100 gallons to 10,000 gallons and $.18/100 gallons over 10,000 gallons.
The rate increase for water will result in approximately $28,000 in annual revenues.
The current rate structure for wastewater includes: $5.4 for the base rate of up to 3,000 gallons and $.18/100 gallons. The rate structure would be changed to: $8.10 for the base rate of up to 3,000 gallons and $.27/100 gallons to 10,000 gallons.
The rate increase for wastewater will result in approximately $121,500 in annual revenues.
Mayor Dennis Wilson noted the study being completed on the City's water treatment plant and said improvements would be needed in the near future to keep in compliance with regulations.
Council members also approved rate increases for sanitation, including limiting the number of trash bags to be picked up from each residence.
Council member David Watkins addressed the rate increase.
“We are barely getting by right now. We have absolutely nothing to purchase vehicles with. The only thing we've got is if there's carry over,” Watkins said. “We are trying to pay the bills and keep our sanitation equipment a float.”
The ordinance approved stated sanitation pick up rate charges for residential and commercial properties have not been increased since 1996 and dumpster fees since 2001.
Council members noted the increase in tonnage, which was cited in the ordinance as approximately 25 percent, as well as citing increased tippage fees.
Watkins also noted a goal of the rate increase is to put $2,400 of the expected $3,300 a month in generated funds toward the purchase of a new truck. Trucks typically cost between $125,000 to $129,000, Watkins said.
The approved rate increase for 2011 changed residential fees from $9.40 per month to $10.90 per month and commercial fees from $11.65 per month to $12.23 per month.
The trash bag limit approved was seven, 30-gallon bags per residence per week and an extra charge of $1 to be assessed for each additional bag.
Watkins explained each truck would be equipped with a camera to photograph extra trash accountable.
All trash will be picked up but residences would be billed through the Utility Office for extra trash bags.
