The average residential water/sewer bill for Oxford Village customers could be increasing by as much as 50 percent, according to Manager Joe Young.
Village water and sewer customers are invited to learn why, provide input and voice their opinions at a special 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 council meeting. The meeting will take place in the village council chambers 22 W. Burdick St.
At this meeting, Mike Engels from the Michigan Rural Water Association will make a presentation regarding a rate study he conducted for the village, free of charge.
Officials are looking into possibly raising water and sewer rates in order to pay debts, cover increased operating costs and finance future system improvements.
Young assured council will not be voting on any proposed rates at this meeting. This meeting is strictly for informational purposes, he said.
Village water customers currently pay a base, fixed rate of $18.10 per month, which covers up to 2,000 gallons whether they use it or not. They then pay $3.41 for each 1,000 gallons above the initial 2,000.
Village sewer customers pay a monthly base rate of $22.85, which includes up to 8,333 gallons. They then pay 51 cents for every 1,000 gallons above 8,333.
The village water system has approximately $420,000 in annual debt payments, while the sewer system will have a total of $108,000 in annual debt payments.
Village engineer Rob Lavoie has proposed a laundry list of potential capital improvements including $3.6 million in water system projects, $945,000 in sanitary sewer work and $332,500 in storm sewer improvements.