PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Portage city council will hold their final work session on their next budget Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. and set the rates for water and sewer bills at their evening meeting.
Those water utility bills will be the only city item that will cost Portage residents more this coming year.
The rate study is calling for an 8.5% increase in sewer bills and a 5% increase in water rates, which will mean an average increase for the typical portage homeowner of 7%.
Councilmember Chris Burns says a lot of factors go into those numbers, including improvements at the city of Kalamazoo’s Water Reclamation plant.
‘A lot of big things happening with that facility and that’s leading to some cost increases. Hopefully over the very long term for residents, it will lead to a more environmentally friendly solution for wastewater disposal in the future,” says Burns.
The rate study committee says similar rate hikes will likely be needed each of the next two years to cover additional expenses, and system improvements.
Rate hikes would take effect on July 1st if the council approves the final budget after a public hearing in two weeks.
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