Fee Hikes Receive Little Objection

Only three residents spoke at Monday’s public hearing on proposed rate hikes and rate structure changes for water and sewer fees.

The City Council is expected to vote soon on a proposed 10 percent increase in water and sewer fees, which also includes a change in the way the base service fee is administered in fiscal year 2012.

Monday’s meeting lasted just seven minutes.

Resident Kevin Racine had questions about the base fee—which is administered based upon the size of the water meter that services the residences or business. A chart on the base rates is below.

The water service rate would be set at $4.35 per 1,000 gallons. The sewer service rate would be set at $6.50 per 1,000 gallons.

If passed, the fee changes would be implemented July 1, 2011.

According to the Havre de Grace website, the current rates for city residents include a $13.75 quarterly base fee, a water rate of $3.95 per 1,000 gallons, and a sewer rate of $5.90 per 1,000 gallons.

Businesses would also see increases in their bills because of the base fee hikes (see chart below).

Approximately 96 percent of the city's 5,000 water meters measure between 5/8 of an inch and 1 inch—and virtually all residences have meters 1 inch or smaller.

John Lehr, of the 200 block of Secretariat Drive, told City Council, “the water pricing structure will result in a large increase for condo owners in our development.”

Lehr said the increases would add $10,820 to the annual bill for water and sewer consumption for the 112 units in his condo complex.

With that in mind, he suggested the fee increases be implemented gradually.

“If, indeed, the change must take place, at least it could be phased in over a three year period,” Lehr said.

Former City Councilman and a member of both the water task force and the water and sewer commission, Garrett Lyttle spoke in favor of the changes.

“I commend all of you for taking our recommendations to heart and giving them the consideration they deserve,” Lyttle said.

Lyttle said the city has been forced to deal with pollution of the Susquehanna River from upstream, as well as mandates upon wastewater treatment from the state and federal levels.

“I feel that the passage of Ordinance 931 will add to our ability to move forward in resolving these problems,” Lyttle said, adding: “I feel strongly that we’re moving in the right direction.”

BASE FEE RATES BASED UPON WATER METER SIZE:

Questions about the size of your water meter can be directed to the city's finance office at 410-939-1800.