By GABRIEL GOODWIN
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE — Residents will see higher water bills after a sewage rate increase goes into effect July 1.
The Wayne County Board of Public Works increased the sewage disposal rates by 7.76 percent over last year’s rate. The rate increase was presented and accepted June 24 due to an increase in the expense of processing sewage at the Wyandotte Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The proposal states the city has to increase its revenue by $166,000 to offset the increase in expenses.
Currently, an average homeowner is charged an estimated $268.51, but the proposed change would increase costs by $7.39 to about $275.90 per year.
Councilwoman Sheri Sutherby-Fricke said even after the increase, Wyandotte is still the second lowest rate among the 13 communities using the Wyandotte Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“That is something to brag about,” Sutherby-Fricke said.
The increased rate will pay for the city’s share of operations and maintenance of the sewage disposal system and stay current with the monthly sewage expenses to the county. It also will cover the city’s responsibility to replace necessary equipment in the system and cover the loss of revenue due to the difference between the master meter and the residents’ individual meters.
“It is not Wyandotte raising their rates.” Councilmen Ted Micuira said. “It is the county who set the rate. I just didn’t want the citizens to think that we are up here trying to raise the rates on them, and it has nothing to do with us.”
(Gabriel Goodwin can be reached at [email protected].)