City Of Valentine Hikes Water Rates After December Meeting

The City Council held its regular monthly meeting Thursday, December 11.

The Valentine City Council pushed through a busy agenda at last nights regular monthly meeting.  Some meeting highlights included authorizing applying for a CDBG Tourism Grant on behalf of Mid Plains Community College and the Cherry County Visitors Promotion Board for help on the new events center.

The council also approved an extension to the agreement for electric wholesale services between Heartland Energy and the City.  Heartland has been the supplier for a few years after the city left NPPD.  Electric rates will be going up after last month’s meeting, climbing about 3.8%.  At this month’s meeting, sewer and water rates were approved to go up.  A less modest rate hike for municipal water customers. City Manager Shane Seiwart explained that "Water rates are increasing about 9.1% from a minimum charge of $9.40 per month plus $.95 per 100 cubic feet (748 gallons) of water to a minimum charge of $10.26 per month plus $1.03645 per 100 cubic feet (748 gallons) of water. The sewer rates are increasing about 35% from a minimum charge of $18.02 per month plus $1.81 per 100 cubic feet of water used over 400 cubic feet (2,992 gallons) to $24.30 per month plus $2.43 per 100 cubic of water used over 400 cubic feet (2,992 gallons). The average monthly residential consumption last year was 1,423 cubic feet so the average water charge would have been $22.92. Under the new rates, it would have been $25.06. The residential sewer charge is based on consumption in December, January and February, so the average residential sewer charge was $21.22. Under the new rates, it would have been $28.64."

The council has also been working on a major project for sewer primarily in the east part of town. The ‘interceptor’ sewer line has been discussed for numerous years along the Green Street area to help with sewer drainage from a large section of the city and allow for future expansion.  At last nights meeting the board approved an agreement with Carstensen Contracting for the construction which was approved for $10.2M.

Rick Joseph and James Battershaw were both appointed to the Tree Board.