High-end electrical, sewer customers to see a rate increase

by Ryan Murray
| December 28, 2012 10:34 AM

Twenty-two high-use electric consumers in Troy and all sewer customers are going to see increased rates in January.

Troy’s City Council in a work session Wednesday tentatively approved a rate increase for the largest electric users in town, including Stein’s Family Market, Troy School District and Chapel Cedar.

For most residential power users, rates will actually be reduced. However, sewer rates will climb by $2 monthly for residents in the city limits.

All this financial juggling is in an effort to balance the large deficit in the sewer department, sitting at more than $20,000 for the city. This proposed rate change will eliminate the deficit in two years, according to city estimates.

The rates have drawn alarm from some residents, particularly because people who live outside the city limits primarily use septic systems and not the city’s beleaguered sewer. That means households outside of town would get a free electric credit, while not paying extra for the sewer.

This rate change would still have to be approved in the regular City Council meeting, but also comes with the news that Bonneville Power Administration will hike rates in October 2013.

The next City Council meeting will be held sometime either this week, after the holiday, or in January.

In other City Council news:

• With the departure of Troy police officer Nathan White and his wife Tori, the park host at Roosevelt Park, Troy’s ex-mayor John Brown was concerned with the security at the park. Troy is looking for a new park host to help improve security.

• Councilman Phil Fisher’s ice rink, proposed near the fishpond at Roosevelt Park, is coming along nicely and will be open sometime in coming months.

• The water-main fixes Troy’s city crews tackled this fall have made their mark. In October, Troy pumped 19 million gallons and only sold three million gallons to consumers, with 16 million wasted. In November the city pumped eight million gallons and sold two million, reducing the city’s electric bill by $400.