Village officials have increased water rates to keep the Baldwinsville Water Department from operating in the red.
After holding a public hearing last Thursday, village board members decided to increase rates, which haven’t been adjusted since 2005.
“This is an attempt to correct the deficiency,” said Trustee Bruce Stebbins.
Up until now, deficiencies in the water department budget were adjusted with monies from the public works fund balance, which is in place to cover the costs of any major work such as replacing water meters as the village has had to do in the past. The action should replenish the fund balance by 2016, at which point it may need to be adjusted again.
Water customers within the village will now pay $1.10 for every 100 cubic feet of water used, which is an approximate increase of $15 per three-month period or 16 cents a day. Village officials have also changed how water is paid for by customers. The $1.10 flat rate will be used for all customers rather than offering an incentive for using more water, a practice that was previously used to attract industry.
“We’ve restructured water rates for the purpose of modernizing it and more accurately reflecting expenses and how they are parceled out to customers,” said Village Engineer Tim Baker. “It still costs us the same amount – we’re not trying to give an incentive or no incentive. Expenses will now be generated as water is used.”
There will be a similar rate adjustment for customers outside the village.
The action also included an adjustment to sewer rates. Previously 105 percent of the water rate, the sewer rate will drop to 90 percent of the water rate.
