Council Signs Off on Utility Rate Increases
Wednesday, May 29 2013
After months of discussion, city council has approved a plan to raise utility rates.
Water rates will go up by about 22 percent, wastewater rates will go up by 42 percent, and solid waste fees will go up 32 percent. The extra revenue will help get the utilities operating at a slight profit, instead of a deficit as they've done on and off over the last few years. They'll also help defray the cost of major construction on the plants, to get them up to federal standards.
To avoid sticker shock, the city will phase in the rate increases over the next three summers. That means that on July 1, the average resident's monthly utility bill will go up by about $13.
Mayor Shirley Marquardt said that wasn't as bad as she was anticipating.
"The percentage points look pretty frightening," Marquardt said. "The actual dollar amount isn't as high as I thought it would have to be. And I pay those bills too!"
The increase is going to be a lot more noticeable for industrial users. The city's three biggest processors can expect to pay about $10,000 more for their utilities every month, starting in July.
After the utility rate discussion, council tackled another major issue -- the 2014 budget. The $24 million operating budget and $15 million capital budget passed unanimously.
With the budget in place, council passed a new schedule of city fees for fiscal year 2014. That includes a policy for the emergency mooring buoy in Broad Bay -- a new asset that was just installed this winter. Distressed vessels will be charged by length, at a 50 percent discount over normal city dock fees. They'll rack up fees for every 24 hours of use.
Council also approved $12 million in contracts at last night’s meeting. The centerpiece was an $8 million agreement with Knik Construction to pave Ballyhoo Road and the city dock's backreach. Regan Engineering received a $1.6 million contract to oversee construction on the wastewater and water plants. NC Power Systems received a $2.5 million contract, which is a down payment on a fourth engine for the city powerhouse.
Long term resident and working man on Sunday, June 16 2013:
Ouch it cost more and more for the City Of Unalaska to operate. And the working man has to pay for it.
Work for the City is the way to go. The City of Unalaska employees take care of themselves. Yearly raises, paid vacations, pension, etc.
PayAttention on Tuesday, June 04 2013:
Council and staff again had no problem single sourcing another contract. $1.6 million to Regan Engineering, another out of town consultant. No bids, nothing. Funny Dennis didn't have anything to say about that one or only two bidders on the paving project. What a flip flopper. How come city staff thinks its a good idea to pave the airport long term parking before paving Biorka??? Going to just let one of our paved roads fall apart so we can spend even more money fixing it?? Must be bacause the city manager and rest of the city staff spend so much time flying out of town. What a scam.
Lindy Batten on Monday, June 03 2013:
Water rates will go up by about 22 percent, wastewater rates will go up by 42 percent, and solid waste fees will go up 32 percent. So much for my raise in July ....was this planned??? The city giveth and the city take it away. Again... no way to get ahead on this Island because there is always someone in line to take a chunk of our raises as soon as we get them.