Vandalia water rates to increase

VANDALIA – City Council approved a change in water and sewer rates for 2017. Water rates are being increased by an average of 11 percent while sewer rates for wastewater treatment are being decreased by 9.5-10 percent.

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The change means a customer using the minimum of up to 2,500 gallons will see an increase of $1 per month and a customer using up to 7,500 gallons per month will see an increase of around $1.60 per month. The rate will be based on the size water meter the customer has and is a tiered system based on the amount of water each household uses.

The adjustments are being made due to long-range projects in the city’s Water Fund that will not be able to support capital improvements past 2021. The Sewer Fund, however, is well above its target fund balance and is projected to increase over the next five years. The adjustment was made to both balance the funds and minimize the impact on customers, according to city council.

Future adjustments in 2019 and 2021 will be evaluated by the council at the appropriate time.

CASEY LAUGHTER

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