MEEKER | The rate Meeker residents pay to enjoy the comfort and convenience of indoor plumbing is going to cost a little more if the Meeker Sanitation District Board of Directors approves a rate increase in February.
Facing essential repairs and replacements to aging infrastructure as well as increasing costs every year to maintain the water treatment plant, the board agreed a rate increase would be more equitable than increasing the special district mill levy on property taxes, which would have an unbalanced impact on commercial property owners.
“It’s just inflation,” said office manager Gail Frantz, noting that the cost to run the treatment plant remains the same regardless of the amount of water treated. During boom cycles, the cost per treated gallon is actually lower than the cost per gallon in slow seasons. “The plant can treat up to 1 million gallons a day. We never reach that maximum.” The last rate increase was in 2015, from $28 to $35.
The current residential and commercial rate is $35 per month for up to 8,000 gallons. Frantz said there are about 45 sanitation district customers — primarily larger businesses — who go over that average and pay an additional $4 a month per 1,000 gallons used.
The board is proposing an increase of $5 a month. Additional information about the increase will go out in mailers at the end of the month. A public hearing is set for Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at the sanitation district building.
By NIKI TURNER | [email protected]
