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Arma residents can expect slightly higher water bills in the coming months.
The Arma City Council voted Monday to approve a 35 percent increase in water rates, which will be implemented in two increments — one in January and another in March.
City Administrator Tim Schook said he made a mistake earlier this month when he told the council there would likely be a 30 percent increase, rather than a 35 percent jump that he originally proposed. He added, however, that compared to other Kansas communities, Arma’s rate is “still dirt cheap.”
“There are very few places where water is cheaper than what we have,” he said.
Under the current inside-city-limit rates, the first 2,000 gallons of water usage cost $11.66. Usage between 2,000 and 10,000 gallons adds another $3.41 to the price tag. A 35 percent increase would take the cost of 2,000 gallons to $14.74, with an added $5.10 for 2,000 to 10,000 gallons of use.
Outside of the city limits, the first 2,000 gallons cost $17.05, which would jump to $23.02 with a 35 percent increase. A charge of $7.15 is added for usage between 2,000 and 10,000 gallons. A 35 percent increase would take that to $9.65.
Of the 714 monthly customers, approximately 630 use an average of 4,000 gallons, according to city documents. With a 35 percent increase, the bill for those who use an average of 4,000 gallons each month would be $24.94, up from $18.48 under the current rates.
Schook said the water rate increase is needed to bridge the gap between income and expenses in the city’s water department. According to city documents, the department averages income of approximately $209,000, while expenses for 2010 are expected to exceed $282,000. A 35 percent increase in rates take income to around $282,150.
The city had a similar issue with its sewer department earlier this year. In March, the city council approved an ordinance that added a $1.50 charge per 1,000 gallons of water usage - the added fee was split into two $.75 increases - to the city's flat sewer rate of $15 per month. Schook said at the time that the increase was necessary to begin to close the $46,000 gap between sewer department revenue and expenses.
Arma residents can expect slightly higher water bills in the coming months.
The Arma City Council voted Monday to approve a 35 percent increase in water rates, which will be implemented in two increments — one in January and another in March.
City Administrator Tim Schook said he made a mistake earlier this month when he told the council there would likely be a 30 percent increase, rather than a 35 percent jump that he originally proposed. He added, however, that compared to other Kansas communities, Arma’s rate is “still dirt cheap.”
“There are very few places where water is cheaper than what we have,” he said.
Under the current inside-city-limit rates, the first 2,000 gallons of water usage cost $11.66. Usage between 2,000 and 10,000 gallons adds another $3.41 to the price tag. A 35 percent increase would take the cost of 2,000 gallons to $14.74, with an added $5.10 for 2,000 to 10,000 gallons of use.
Outside of the city limits, the first 2,000 gallons cost $17.05, which would jump to $23.02 with a 35 percent increase. A charge of $7.15 is added for usage between 2,000 and 10,000 gallons. A 35 percent increase would take that to $9.65.
Of the 714 monthly customers, approximately 630 use an average of 4,000 gallons, according to city documents. With a 35 percent increase, the bill for those who use an average of 4,000 gallons each month would be $24.94, up from $18.48 under the current rates.
Schook said the water rate increase is needed to bridge the gap between income and expenses in the city’s water department. According to city documents, the department averages income of approximately $209,000, while expenses for 2010 are expected to exceed $282,000. A 35 percent increase in rates take income to around $282,150.
The city had a similar issue with its sewer department earlier this year. In March, the city council approved an ordinance that added a $1.50 charge per 1,000 gallons of water usage - the added fee was split into two $.75 increases - to the city's flat sewer rate of $15 per month. Schook said at the time that the increase was necessary to begin to close the $46,000 gap between sewer department revenue and expenses.
