AUBURN – The first water rate increase in three years is expected this year, but an anticipated hike in sewer rates is unlikely.
Larger customers of the Auburn Water District will see a rate increase of 3 to 7 percent sometime between April and June, said General Manager Norm Lamie.
“We would definitely need a water rate increase in 2005. The trustees approved for us to go ahead with the hiring of an auditing firm to prepare a final analysis,” Lamie said.
On Jan. 19, the trustees authorized him to hire Horton, MacFarland & Vessey, an auditing firm from Ellsworth, which specializes in utility rate analysis.
While not offering an exact amount of increase, Lamie said he believes it would be closer to 3 percent.
Water District trustees are scheduled to consider findings by the auditor on Feb. 16. At that time, the board is expected to schedule a public hearing in March. Lamie said all customers should receive notice of the hearing about three weeks before the public hearing.
“The last one we had, 20 people showed up,” Lamie said.
He added that a rate increase might not go into effect until May. The last water rate increase went into effect Jan. 1, 2002.
The increase was made necessary by about $80,000 in distribution system improvements over the past three years, including projects on Court, Main and Cook streets. Some of the improvements eliminated from taps dirty water caused by aging water mains. Temporary financing for the projects now must be refinanced. Lamie said the increase would fund a refinancing package.
Comments are no longer available on this story