Tarpon To Consider Utility Rates Hike

Municipal water and sewer rates could rise by slightly more than 10 percent during the city's coming fiscal year.

Tuesday night, city commissioners will consider revising the municipal water and sewer rate structure. The Aug. 26 meeting will see the first of two readings of the utility rate increase proposal.

Under the planned revisions, the city would increase its potable water rate by 9.25 percent in fiscal year 2009, which begins Oct. 1. At the same time the waste-water rate would increase by 1 percent.

The cost of drinking water would then go up each year by varying amounts until 2017. The planned schedule is: 8.75 percent, 2010; 8.50 percent; 2011; 8.25 percent, 2012; 8 percent; 2013; and 7.75 percent, 2014. Then the rate would increase by 7.50 percent a year until 2017.

Following the fiscal 2009 increase the city's waste-water rate would continue to increase by 1 percent a year through 2017.

A consultant recently told city officials the rate increases were necessary to keep water and sewer revenue in line with the cost of inflation and a reduction in utility system income resulting from conservation and other factors.

At a recent hearing, a number of residents complained they are already dealing with high taxes and insurance rates and escalating energy costs. An increase in water and sewer rates would exacerbate the already significant drain on their pocketbooks, they told commissioners.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.