Published: June 26, 2008 09:52 am         

Sticker shock sets in after factors create Camanche utility bill hike

CAMANCHE — Residents of Camanche are receiving the first utility bills featuring increased sewer and garbage rates.

City Administrator Tom Roth said many citizens called City Hall during June after receiving the quarterly bill for utility usage in March, April and May. He said significant increase was the result of a “triple whammy,” from an increase in sewer rates and garbage rates and winter utility bills being estimated.

“When it hits you in the pocketbook, it gets your attention,” said Roth. “People are seeing an increase of $20 to $30 a month in their bills. It’s frustrating, because it all hit at once.”

In December, the Camanche City Council approved an ordinance that increased sewer rates for users of the Camanche Sewer District. The ordinance stated the rate increase was required “to cover the cost of service and to acquire sufficient reserves for necessary maintenance and anticipated capital improvements.”

The previous minimum quarterly sewer fee was $7.50 for the first 4,000 gallons, and 26 cents for each additional 100 gallons. The new minimum quarterly fee is $16.38 for the first 4,000 gallons, and 35 cents for each additional 100 gallons. The rental rate for residences served by private water systems was increased from $40 to $72 per quarter. The new sewer rate increase became effective March 1.

Roth said the rate increase would have been necessary regardless of whether the city had decided to maintain the current wastewater treatment plant rather than join with Clinton in the new regional WWTP. He said the new regional modular plant will increase sewer capacity throughout the city of Camanche and guarantees plenty of future capacity for residential and commercial or industrial users. Roth added the new plant puts the city out of the wastewater treatment business and the city “should be good” regarding waste treatment for the next 40 to 50 years.

Also this spring, the Camanche City Council passed a resolution increasing city solid waste collection fees for residents from $11 to $13.75 per month and for seniors (65 years old and older) from $9.41 to $12.25 per month. The increase in the fees was related to a new three-year solid waste collection agreement with River City Disposal, which called for a higher rate due to increased fuel and overhead costs. Roth noted the current fee will remain steady for the next three years as stipulated in the contract. The new garbage collection rate also became effective March 1.

Roth said another hit to residential and commercial utility bills came from utility officials estimating meter readings during the winter. He said the meters were estimated due to adverse reading conditions and the new bills reflect an adjustment of those readings.

On a positive note, Roth said the tax levy rate for the city of Camanche was lowered 43 cents recently, which will result in lower property tax bills for Camanche residents.

The levy rate was dropped from $11.57 per thousand valuation to $11.14 per thousand, due to an increase in the city’s property tax valuations from $1,402,000 in Fiscal Year 2007-2008 to $1,425,000 for FY 2008-2009.

     

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