Residents See Sewer Rate Increase in 2017

Oskaloosa City Council for February 6, 2017

By Hailey Brown

(Oskaloosa, Iowa) — Residents will soon see a 20 percent rate increase in sanitary sewer charges as the Oskaloosa City Council continues with an investment in the wastewater treatment system.  This will be the third year of a multi-year increase plan that was recommended for the sanitary sewer fund.

“While this is a big deal, there are a lot more costs coming just to maintain…” said Council member Doug Yates (Ward 3). “It’s unfortunate but it’s just dollars we have to spend as a community.”

Aside from routine operating and maintenance costs, the council must also use the increase to address costly Department of Natural Resources mandated compliance improvements, affecting the average residential ratepayer by a little under $6.50 per month, or less than $78.00 annually, according to City Manager Michael Schrock. The average residential customer uses about four (4.12) units of water per month, and is charged the sewer base rate per month regardless of usage.

Sewer Rate Changes

The DNR compliance requirements in the next three fiscal years alone will cost approximately $11 million dollars to implement, Oskaloosa Mayor David Krutzfeldt reiterated during the meeting.  DNR mandated improvements currently focus on inflow and infiltration (I&I) and disinfection at two treatment plants, leaving little conversation for local government.  According to documents prepared by Oskaloosa City Staff, this funding plan also anticipates the utility’s need to borrow $12 million from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) to complete projects within DNR mandated compliance schedules.

The February 6 meeting was the third reading of the ordinance amending Oskaloosa Municipal Code, Chapter 13.08, Section 13.08.570(A) – User charge, for the purpose of providing necessary funding associated with the operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater treatment works, and it passed unanimously with the council.  There was no public commentary during the comments portion of the meeting or during the third reading of the ordinance.

During the February 6 meeting, the Oskaloosa City Council also:

• Received the annual Mahaska Community Recreation Foundation report from Sherry Vavra, MCRF Executive Director;
• Discussed a proposed Rental Housing Inspection Program, which will be back on the docket at the next meeting;
• Passed a third reading ordinance consideration for amending the Oskaloosa Municipal Code section 15.04.035 International Building Code, International Mechanical Code and International Residential Code—Amendments, containing the following language:  Frost footing requirements for accessory structures may be waived by the Building Official, if plans and specifications prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the state to practice as such are submitted. Such plans and specifications shall sufficiently demonstrate the ability of the proposed structure to address frost heaving for the intended use of the structure and shall conform to the provisions of this chapter and of all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders;
• Passed a resolution pertaining to a wide variety of factors surrounding the Façade Improvement Project;
• Scheduled a public hearing for Monday, March 6 to review bids for the 2017 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Improvements Project.  The preliminary engineering cost estimate for this sewer project is $2,132,053 and if the project is awarded, construction will begin in late March or early April, depending on the weather;
• Passed a resolution adopting the proposed 2017-2018 budget and set March 6 for the public hearing.