A consultant is recommending a 6.2 percent increase each year for the next 10 years in sewer and water rates in Dryden.
Sam Houston from BMI Consulting says the increase is necessary.
“You have a very costly system…$51.5 in replacement costs, with a limited revenue base,” Houston told Dryden city council recently.
“So, what we’re proposing is a gradual increase to maintain ratepayer affordability.”
Houston suggests there is a shortfall in terms of what the city is spending to fix up its system and the increase in rates would address that.
“To do that, it requires a rate revenue increase of about 6.2 percent annually. And again, all of that is subject to council approval on an annual basis when you are doing the budget.”
Houston says the city currently has an annual shortfall in funding of about $2.8 million to do repairs to the sewer and water system, and the increase will help address that.
