October bills reflect new garbage, water rates

The city’s new water, sewer and garbage rates went into effect Oct. 1, which means the bills, by ordinance, carry the new rates, regardless of the service date.

The garbage fee increased to $14.33, from $12.50 a month. The fee is known as a “pass through,” meaning the amount has no city administrative fee attached and merely covers the cost of providing the service.

Although the majority of the city’s customers, those who use 5,000 gallons of water or less a month, are not seeing a change in their rate, others are asking questions about their most recent bill.

“People are curious about how the new rates went into effect,” Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard said. “The city ordinance says that bills that go out Oct. 1 and thereafter must reflect the new rate, even though the service may have been provided in mid-September. The fact is, we have to collect sufficient funds to pay the garbage bill that comes due to the city at the end of the month, and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused.”