To make up for 22 years of not raising rates on water and sewer services, rates are going up $76.12 a year in Independence Township.
According to Linda Richardson, director of Department of Public Works (DPW,) this is based upon the average home consuming 2,200 cubic feet of water per quarter on a 3-quarter-inch meter.
‘This board is going to have to take the political heat for making that decision,? Trustee Neil Wallace said. ‘It’s kind of been dumped on us.?
Trustee David Lohmeier agreed.
‘Year after year of us kicking the can down the street hasn’t gotten us in a very good position and this is going to take a little courage tonight, but quite frankly this is the right thing to do,? he said. ‘We’re going to take some static from folks that see a $50 to $60 increase, but the alternative is a huge increase later when we have our backs up against the wall.?
Trustee Larry Rosso said if the amount would have been portioned out every year, the increase would not have looked so significant.
The board did not include an extra $11.87 to make up the difference on a loan borrowed from water and sewer for the new township hall.
‘I don’t think the rate payers should have the full increase ? that part of the increase that’s attributable to the loan for the township hall,? Wallace said.
The board decided to pay the 19 percent difference out the general fund, fund balance, so all taxpayers pay for township hall, not just water and sewer customers.
‘This is just one where you’ve got to suck it up and be courageous and do what you’re supposed to do in this position,? Lohmeier said. ‘That keeps the fund healthy for those who bought into it.?