The Argos Town Council members reviewed a sewer and water rate study during a work session Wednesday night where proposed utility increases were revealed by Eric Walsh from Baker Tilly.
Walsh indicated that the council will need to consider possible increases in sewer rates over the next five years.
“You can see in the first year it’s a $2.22 increase for the average customer,” explained Walsh. “In year two, it’s another $2.30, but cumulatively from today that customer then would have seen $4.52 and so on and so forth down the line. So, in total over five years, that customer would see a $12.00 increase, but it’s really broken up into approximately $2.50 a year so you’re not hitting it all at once.”
The council members commented that they are attempting to keep rates at a reasonable level.
In the end, the council members thought a three percent increase over five years for the water department and a 3.9 percent increase in sewer rates would be feasible over the next five years.
No decisions have been approved. A rate ordinance is expected to be introduced at the council’s October 20 meeting for consideration with a public hearing November 3. Any increases would take effect January 1, 2022.
