The new rates would take effect in August if approved by the Warrenton Board of Aldermen.
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Warrenton took the next steps to increasing water and sewer rates for both residential and commercial customers during the June 6 board of aldermen meeting.
During the meeting, time was set aside for a public hearing to discuss the rates.
No member of the public spoke, and only a handful of Warrenton residents attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Finance Officer Dana Belaska presented the new rates, which have not yet been approved. Belaska said during the meeting that an ordinance to increase both rates will be presented to the aldermen at a future meeting.
The city previously said the new sewer and water rates would go into effect Aug. 1 if they are approved.
These are the proposed new water rates:
Warrenton residents would pay $8.55 for the first 1,000 gallons of water used each month, and $5.52 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
Industrial and commercial users would pay $14.64 for the first 1,000 gallons used each month, and $5.87 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
Residents living outside the city limits would pay $27.24 for the first 1,000 gallons used each month, and $11.67 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
Industrial and commercial customers outside the city limits would pay $28.66 for the first 1,000 gallons used each month, and $12.35 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
These are the proposed new sewer rates:
Warrenton and Truesdale residents would pay $14.00 for the first 1,000 gallons used each month and $5.07 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
Industrial and commercial users would pay $14.88 for the first 1,000 gallons used each month and $5.27 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
Residential customers living outside the city limits would pay $28.00 for the first 1,000 gallons used each month and $10.14 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
Industrial and commercial users outside the city limits would pay $38.14 for the first 1,000 gallons used each month and $10.46 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
The rate increases were first discussed at the May 2 board of aldermen meeting. During that meeting, the city said an “average user” – a residential customer who uses 5,000 gallons of water a month, would pay an additional $3.37 a month or $54.36 a year under the new rates.
At the time, Warrenton City Administrator Brandie Walters said the rate increase was needed to both keep up with increasing operation costs and to pay off the water and sewer bonds that passed during the April 4 election.
The city also has a tool to help project rates five years out, which Walters said should help keep future rates small.
About the author: Jason Koch is the editor of The Warren County Record, and covers local news and government for the newspaper. He has won multiple awards from both the Indiana and Illinois APME and from the Illinois Press Association. He can be reached at 636-456-6397 or at jason@warrencountyrecord.com
