When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth city commissioner reached a consensus to advance ordinances that would increase rates for city sewer and trash collection services. Public Works Director Mike McDonald said one of the ordinances will increase wastewater, or sewer, rates by 5 percent if approved. Wastewater rates are based on water usage. McDonald said most people in the city pay between $21.29 and $28.46 per month. With a 5 percent increase, these customers’ monthly fees will be raised between $1.06 and $1.42 per month.
McDonald said the city has been increasing sewer rates by 3-5 percent for the last few years. The other ordinance, if approved, will increase fees for refuse services by 8 percent.
According to McDonald, the current residential rate would increase from $16.87 per month to $18.22 per month.
McDonald said this increase is more than what city residents normally see.
The public works director said the city will see increased expenses next year associated with the purchase of a new refuse truck as well as changing the disposal location of garbage that is collected in the city.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)