Water, Sewer Rates in Charles City Likely to Change

Water and sewer rates for Charles City residential and commercial users are likely to change, but what those adjustments will look like remain to be determined.

During a two-and-a-half-hour planning session Monday (08.10) night, the City Council reviewed a study on water utility rates prepared by Short Elliot Hendrickson,  with Maria McCarty representing the engineering firm.

The largest of those water users is Valero Renewables just west of town. Having the ethanol plant pay more is a distinct possibility, but City Administrator Tyler Trout offered a caveat to that approach.

Councilwoman Phoebe Pittman added that, taking Valero out of the equation, funds generated from water usage should be more balanced between residential and commercial customers.

While Trout was in agreement, he advised that, too, requires the right approach.

Councilman Patrick Lumley stressed the City’s basic goal to achieve from what is paid for water and sewer is to cover its operational costs.

Because it was a planning session, no official action could be taken by the Council on any changes in water/sewer rates or on how exactly to better achieve balance between residential and commercial customers. Trout said a more definitive plan for Council review should be available by the August 31st special meeting to take up the issue again.