Tarpon Raises Water And Sewer Rates

It will cost more for elected officials to flush, too.

That is the message city commissioners wanted to convey as they passed an increase in water and sewer rates on second reading.

As much as the commission hates to raise rates, in these tough economic times the city must protect the solvency of its water and sewer fund, Commissioner Peter Dalacos said.

Under the revision, water rates for fiscal year 2009 will increase 9.25 percent on Oct. 1. Rates will then increase by an additional 8.75 percent in fiscal 2010, 8.50 percent in 2011, 8.25 percent in 2012, 8 percent in 2013, 7.75 percent in 2014 and 7.50 percent thereafter until 2017.

Under the plan, sewer rates will increase 1 percent each year until 2017.

A consultant recently told the city rate increases are necessary to keep up with rising costs and because of an expected reductions in the water and sewer revenue. The city has to have a certain amount of in the water and sewer reserve funds in order to meet its bond requirements.

The city plans to construct its own reverse-osmosis water treatment plant by 2010.

City officials expect the water the plant produces will be less expensive than the water the city buys from Pinellas County.