City Commission Approves Utility Rate Increase To Fill Federal And State Debt Requirements
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Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
The Harrodsburg City Commission gave second reading to ordinances increasing the city’s water and sewer rates.
Chief Administrative Officer Stacey Maynard said customers using the monthly minimum would see less than a dollar increase on their utility bill, a 40-cent increase on their water bill, and a 48-cent increase for sewer.
At their meeting on Monday, April 27, the commissioners voted to adopt ordinances that would increase water and sewer rates in Harrodsburg by 2.7 percent, effective July 1. The minimum water rate for the first 250 cubic feet of water per month would increase 40 cents, from $14.86 to $15.26. The charge for the next 750 cubic feet of water per month would increase 15 cents, from $5.64 per 100 cubic feet to $5.79 per 100 cubic feet. The rate for over 60,000 cubic feet of water per month would increase six cents, from $2.38 per 100 cubic feet to $2.44 per 100 cubic feet.
For sewage, the minimum rate for the first 250 cubic feet of wastewater per month would increase by 48 cents, from $17.95 per 100 cubic feet to $18.43 per 100 cubic feet. The charge for the next 750 cubic feet of wastewater per month would increase by 20 cents, from $7.33 per 100 cubic feet to $7.53 per 100 cubic feet. The rate for over 60,000 cubic feet of wastewater per month would increase 16 cents, from $6.11 per 100 cubic feet to $6.27 per 100 cubic feet.
Each customer’s bill will include a $2 surcharge, which will fund infrastructure projects, according to the ordinance.
While reading the ordinances, Mayor Williams said the additional revenues are needed in order to meet the minimum qualifications on loans the city has with the USDA Rural Development and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority for upgrades to the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure. The 2.7 percent rate increase is based on the Consumer Price Index.
Williams’ motion to accept the water ordinance was seconded by Commissioner Coleman and passed unanimously.
Williams’ motion to accept the sewer ordinance was seconded by Commissioner Kerry Anness and passed unanimously. There was no further discussion.
