This week the Plymouth Common Council heard the first reading of ordinances to increase the water and sewer rates for residential customers as well as businesses and industrial users.
Eric Walsh from Baker Tilly gave a presentation last month and said the last rate increase was in 2017 after Del Monte and Bay Valley left the city. At that time there was a 3-year phase-in for sewer rates and a single increase for water rates.
Tyler Coffel also from Baker Tilly explained the need to increase the rate on the sewer side for proposed capital expenditures. Some of the larger projects include the solar farm, closed-circuit TV project, and Gibson Street project over the next five years.
The proposal is a $1.50 increase for residential customers in the first phase and an additional $1.50 for the second-rate increase. Coffel noted that would make the average residential customer’s sewer rate $31.85, well below the state average of $36.65.
City Councilman Don Ecker asked Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson about spending and finds that several of the projects are mandates like televising all of the sewers in the city every 5 years. Davidson also said maintenance on the water towers is extremely expensive.
The proposed increase for residential city water customers is a 5% increase this year, a 4% increase in 2023, and an additional 4% increase in 2024. It was projected to be an increase of $2.50 a month for the first two years and another $1 for the final year. Coffel said the average residential customer would pay $55.80 and the state’s average is $61.77.
The second reading of the two ordinances to increase water and sewer rates in the city of Plymouth will be heard on Monday, June 27th at 6:30 p.m.
