By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – A proposal for Bloomington residents to dig significantly deeper into their wallets for sewer fees over a shorter time frame is expected to be presented to the city council tonight.
Last week, some aldermen indicated they would favor a more aggressive series of sewer rate hikes to raise 136-million dollars to repair aging infrastructure.
City staffers’ latest proposal would, for the average residential customer, slap a $6.31 increase to $20.16 per month in fees for sanitary and storm sewers the next fiscal year.
The staff’s original proposal called for smaller monthly increases over a five-year period to $22. 90, from the current monthly fee of $13.85 cents.
Council members Amelia Buragas, Joni Painter, and Kimberly Bray indicated they might be in favor of larger rate hikes over a shorter period if it would speed-up sewer repairs without adding debt.
However, Alderman David Sage said borrowing money should be considered to keep down monthly rate increases.
Councilman Scott Black expressed concern residents of historic West Bloomington would be especially hit hard by sharper rate hikes.
The council is expected to give direction to the staff, but not take a final vote on the revised fee structure during a Committee of the Whole meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].
