City Manager John Bennett said the proposal calls for a 50-cent increase in the monthly base fee — the minimum charge — and a 3-percent rise in the usage fee based on volume.
“That’s lower than what our consultant recommended: 4 percent on usage and $1 on the base rate,” he told the board during their last caucus session.
Fire line rates for businesses and industries also are slated to rise $5 to $25 a month, depending on the size of their service line. No price changes are proposed for irrigation lines, water and sewer connections or bounced check fees.
The expected increase in revenue is included in the water and sewer department’s 2013 budget, which is funded by its customers and does not receive a subsidy from the general fund.
Rates rose by 2 percent in 2011 and 4 percent in 2012.
The consultant report analyzes projected revenue and expenses to determine what the rates should be to maintain operations. It recommends annual increases of 2 percent to 4 percent through 2021.
Commissioners also are scheduled to have the first reading tonight of next year’s budgets for the $26.3 million general fund, the $29.3 million water and sewer fund and 21 other separate funds ranging from fire protection to insurance.
The general fund budget includes money for merit raises of up to 4 percent for city employees.
“Pay raises have been few and far between these last few year,” said Commissioner Jamie Doss, who chairs the board’s finance committee. “I think it’s important that we remain competitive.”
A public hearing and adoption are planned for the board’s Dec. 17 meeting, which has been rescheduled from its regular date of Dec. 24 due to the Christmas holiday.
In other actions Monday, the Commission is scheduled to issue a proclamation recognizing U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta, who served as the county’s Congressman for a decade. His district is shifted east under the new voting district map that goes into effect with the 2013 term and U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger will become Floyd’s new representative.
Click to see a full City Commission agenda.