City council approves water, sewer rate increase

The Libby City Council unanimously approved a water and sewer rate hike on Tuesday evening but not without a little criticism

The base rates increase from $25.12 to $27.50 per month for water and $20.77 to $21.49 per month for sewer. The new rates are effective Oct. 1.

Although comments were expressed about higher costs, some of those in attendance simply wondered why a lack of information existed. For example, local resident Valerie Parsons had no details on the proposed increase and knew about the meeting only through a notice on her monthly bill.

Council members didn't seem sure why no specific information on the rate increases was sent out.

“I don't know why it didn't happen,” Council president Charlene Leckrone said. “It really should've been mailed out to all the homeowners.”

On top of that, other residents said they didn't know about a 2,000-gallon increase in the base water allowance from June, July and August. From fall through spring, the base water allowance is 3,000 gallons.

“That's an incentive but that should've been explained,” said longtime resident Verna Siebenforcher, something later seconded by Mark Schell, who moved to Libby in June 2007.

A few others shared hardships about absorbing an increase, including a pair of residents who have lived in Libby a half-century or more.

One resident, John Meister, said he simply can't afford to run a sprinkler on his lawn above his family's other water needs because the cost is “outrageous.”

Council member Walter McElmurry said the rate increases were necessary because of the rising costs, such as chemicals, and to help build reserve funds to replace the city's aging sewer system.

Leckrone added that such factors are mandated by the state.