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Troy water and sewer rates could be going up

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By Nancy Bowman, Contributing Writer 9:12 AM Monday, November 16, 2009

TROY – A revised proposal for increases in Troy water and sewer rates is being considered Monday, Nov. 16, by the city council.

Two weeks ago the council, in a surprise vote, turned down a 10-year packages of rates that had been under discussion since September.

After a 4-3 vote denying the rates, most council members said they realize rate increases are needed. However, they said a 10-year plan for increases is looking too far ahead, particularly in uncertain economic times.

The revised proposal was reviewed, and supported, by council’s finance committee in a Friday meeting attended by most council members. The members indicated support of the new proposal.

The revised proposal is similar to the rejected proposal except it is for three years.

The proposed rate increases are almost the same as in the first proposal.

Sewer rates would go up 7 percent in each of the three years, while water rates would increase 10 percent in the first two years and 9 percent in the third. The third year of water increases was 8 percent in the earlier proposal.

The largest difference in the proposal is removing all long-term capital projects in the water and sewer funds for the next three years, said Dick Cultice, city auditor.

“I think this is the best we can do short term,” Cultice said.

He and Patrick Titterington, city service and safety director, said increases are needed to keep fund balances at levels required by bond rating companies and to pay for upcoming projects to meet state and federal regulations.

If the bond rating company is not satisfied with the fund balances, the city’s bond rating can be lowered, resulting in higher costs when money is borrowed.

The proposed increases would be the first in four years. The bill for the minimum users would not increase.

Contact this reporter at nancykburr@aol.com or (937) 339-4371.

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