Water rate increase 32.59 percent average for PdC residents
By Correne Martin
A water rate increase will be effective in Prairie du Chien for service rendered on and after its next reading date, June 1. The city water department received authorization from the Public Service Commission and the common council approved the action at its meeting Tuesday, April 10.
According to a memo from Water Superintendent Larry Gates, the increase is necessary due to a 54.61 percent increase in gross plant investment and a 31.99 percent increase in operating expenses since the last water rate case was completed in 2009.
The total increase in water revenues requested is $306,682, which will result in an estimated overall rate increase of 34.99 percent over the water utility’s present revenues. The water bill for an average residential customer with a five-eighths-inch or three-quarter-inch meter, who uses 1,300 cubic feet or about 9,700 gallons of water per quarter, will increase from $33.48 to $44.39—or 32.59 percent. In adding the public fire protection charge to citizens’ bills, the increase will go from $51.19 to $67.49—or 31.84 percent.
In addition, the council also approved a resolution Tuesday night declaring official intent to reimburse expenditures from proceeds of borrowing. The resolution states that expenses include three project areas: the library expansion, $858,460; road work, $2,157,352; and “additional projects,” $880,390.
The additional projects for 2018 included in the resolution are: a mower and dump truck for the street department, $186,000; the Lawler Park river front wall, $100,000; city pool filters, $135,000; La Riviere Park improvements, $75,000; fishing pier, $41,890; radio repeater, $150,000; a diesel exhaust removal attachment for five fire trucks, $52,500; city hall security system, $10,000; match funds for a new cab, $15,000; fire department turnout gear, $15,000; 200 water meters per year for 10 years, $100,000; and the Villa Louis area boat launch, parking lot, Fisher Street steps, Lawler Park trail and shelter improvements, $310,000.
CUSTOMER METER VOL. PERCENT CHANGE
Small residential 5/8 7 29.99
Avg. residential 5/8 13 31.84
Large residential 5/8 125 38.77
Multifamily 5/8 22 39.66
Multifamily 3" 275 32.25
Commercial 2" 750 39.37
Commercial 2" 8,000 45.04
Industrial 5/8 230 39.69
Industrial 2" 6,000 44.76
