Water, sewer rate increases look likely for Scott City

With deadlines for a new wastewater treatment plant quickly approaching, so comes the need to pay for it.

The Scott City city council looked worried going through numbers and charts at Monday night's meeting, and no one expressed encouragement in raising rates. But the council acknowledged changes needed to be made.

Scott City offers the lowest utility rates in Southeast Missouri, according to city administrator Ron Eskew.

Water rates in Scott City are 27 cents per 100 gallons of water, and sewer rates are 76 percent of the water bill. Trash is an additional $11 a month.

Mike Ellison, councilman for Ward 1, approached the council Monday with the suggestion of a five-cent increase per 100 gallons for three years and keeping sewer rates the same, but councilors quickly determined that would not cover costs.

During an audit completed in January, it was determined the city loses money on its water rates and breaks even with trash and sewer. Until the new wastewater treatment adjustments were enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency, the city was able to hold its own.

Three years from now, however, when Scott City has to begin paying back its $4.5 million bond issue for the wastewater treatment plant, rate increases will be needed to cover the estimated $132,000 the city will lack.

"[Wastewater adjustments are] regulated across the country, and the citizens have to pay for this. Our hands are tied," councilman Randy Morse of Ward 4 said.

The reason the EPA is enforcing these changes through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources traces back to the ammonia levels in the water that affected river mussels, which ultimately could affect ocean life, Morse said.

The council discussed a proposed ordinance that would last two of the remaining three years before the bond payments begin. The first year would increase water rates from 27 cents per 100 gallons to 37 cents. The second year would add a five-cent increase to that. Also, sewer bills will match the water bill instead of being 74 percent of the total.

Eskew said without these gradual increases, the price of sewer alone would jump to $16.91 per month once payment on the bond issue begins.

"If we did that ... right away, we're gonna get lynched," Mayor Tim Porch said, half-jokingly.

"We're trying to keep it as realistic as we can," Porch said. "But it's not fair to our citizens to keep delaying this because it keeps putting us farther in the hole in water [bills.]"

The ordinance will be further discussed at next month's meeting.

Other business

Public works director Jack Rasnic told council members after hiring a professional to examine fire hydrants on the 3000 block of Main Street, they determined a hydrant on the west side needed repairs. Another hydrant was broken on Fifth Street and Nelly Avenue. Porch said department heads are forming a plan in the next few weeks. By the end of May, once firefighter exercises and tests are completed, all hydrants will be checked.

A new ordinance was passed regarding public hearings for disabled vehicles and junk. Instead of having these matters handled by Judge Allen Moss, they will be handled by police chief David Leeman.

The next council meeting will be April 6.

smaue@semissourian.com

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