MASON CITY – The Mason City council met for a work session at City Hall on January 17 and discussed the need to possibly raise water and sewer rates.
According to meeting minutes, Finance Director Kevin Jacobson broke the discussion down into funds (Capital improvements by fund yearly comparison, General Projects Fund, Storm Sewer Fund, Ambulance, Sanitation Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, Local Option Sales and Service Tax, Road Use Tax Fund, G.O. Bonds, Outside Funding Sources). Citizens later learned in an update from Mayor Bill Schickel that this year’s budget is about $90 million with 40% of that going to capitol improvements, including flood mitigation through work on underground sewer system. To pay for these projects, Jacobson stated at the work session that increases would apply for Enterprise Funds:
$1.19 water increase
$0.43 sewer
$0.55 sanitation
$1.00 storm sewer
This is a $3.17 a month Utility Rate & Levy Increase or a yearly increase of $38.01 for the average homeowner
Jacobson advised the minimum bill for an average homeowner was in the $60.00 a month range so this was roughly an overall increase of 5%.
Again at the meeting, Schickel asked how Mason City compared to other cities with Jacobson stating our Sanitation fees were really low and we were in the 40% range for sewer and storm sewer. He stated the water rates were in the 65% range based on other cities.
The budget could be adopted by early March.