HUMBOLDT — Residents here won’t see their sewer rates double when an estimated $6.2 million improvement project unfolds. The Register reported Tuesday the monthly charge would double, on the basis of a spreadsheet handed out at Monday night’s council meeting.
City Superintendent Cole Herder explained numbers suggesting the large rate increase were prepared by engineers, and didn’t include assessment being made for debt service on a $202,000 loan for sewer plant work. They also included consumption numbers by businesses and industries.
Sewer rates are based on the amount of water a customer uses during winter months, about 4 units, which leads to a monthly sewer charge of $43.11. The projected increase will be $6.50, putting the average charge at $49.61.
A factor that will determine the increase is whether Humboldt attracts a $280,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has agreed to loan the city a touch over $7 million for the project and to cover principles of existing loans that were floated for sewer plant work. Also, final charges will depend on construction bids, which could lower loan amounted required if they come in under engineers’ estimates.
Sewer rate hike overstated
