Marquette considering water, sewer base rate increases
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The city of Marquette is considering raising base water and sewer rates to make up for operational shortfalls.
“Right now, the water is self sustaining. That’s not as critical. But we’re not really putting anything aside for future projects,” city clerk Bonnie Basemann told the council at its March 9 meeting. “The sewer is more critical. It costs more to operate the sewer plant, and the sewer has had less revenue.”
According to Basemann, the city lost approximately $4,000 on the sewer last fiscal year. This fiscal year is shaping up to be even worse: Marquette is already in the hole $36,000.
That deficit is largely attributable to computer upgrades as well as the replacement of a pump.
“You never know what’s going to happen with the sewer. It’s just things you don’t really plan for, but they happen and you have to cover the expense,” said mayor Steve Weipert.
A proposal would up the base water rate from $3 to $4 and the base sewer rate from $8.25 to $10. Basemann said the move would increase sewer revenue by 2 percent and water revenue by 3 percent.
The city also proposed staggering the rate increases, doing one, for example, in July, then the other in January.
Although she doesn’t like the idea of raising rates, councilwoman Cindy Halvorson said that option would make the increases more palatable for residents.
Weipert reminded the council that, without the city’s recent solar projects, the situation could be even worse.
“As far as the water, we’re saving $400 or a little more per month. So that’s $4,800 per year we’re not asking the taxpayers to pay because you have invested in solar. We’re saving $1,500 per month on the sewer plant with solar,” he explained. “If you were to add that on to what we need to make up here, their rates would be sky high.”
Councilman Dave Schneider added, “It stinks, but to be honest with you, we don’t have a plan for replacement costs for our stuff. What happens when we get to that point? Pay me now or pay me later.”
Councilman John Ries said he’d like the city to address potential underlying issues that contribute to operational costs.
“The problem isn’t that we’re not charging enough. We’re spending too much,” he said.
Basemann said the major operational costs include payroll and insurance.
“The budget is pretty tight, so there’s not a lot of room,” she stated.
The council opted not to take action on the increases, and will discuss the issue more at an upcoming meeting.
Budget approved
The council approved the city of Marquette’s fiscal year 2021-2022 budget at the March 9 meeting. The tax levy rate is $6.789 per $1,000 valuation on regular property, unchanged from the current fiscal year.
Spring clean up set
The council set Saturday, May 1, as the date for the city’s spring clean up. The event will be held from 8 to 11 a.m.
