By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen are headed for a vote next week that could dramatically raise sewer rates to repair an aging sewer system that city staffers say is a public health hazard.
Public Works Director Jim Karch showed a video of an overflowing toilet, caused by a sewer backup, to demonstrate an urgent need for tens of millions of dollars in repairs.
Some on the council, during a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday night, seemed ready to accelerate the pace of rate hikes to speed up the repairs, which have been on hold for a couple of years.
Alderman Jamie Mathy said everything in the city is predicated on the sewer system.
“It’s the foundation of everything else we’re going to talk about,” said Mathy.
“If we can’t fix the foundation, how can we even talk about the streets and everything else on top of it,” Mathy also said.
Aldermen are expected to decide whether to impose a sharp rate increase the first year, beginning New Year’s Day or May 1st, or levy smaller increases over a five year period.
The accelerated plan would boost monthly sanitary and storm sewer fees almost 44 percent to $19.91, from the current $13.85, for the typical residential customer.
Council woman Kimberly Bray called the $6.06 monthly increase nominal, but alderman Mboka Mwilambwe was worried whether residents can handle the increase because other governmental bodies will likely raise fees and taxes as well.
Councilman David Sage urged the council to offset the higher fees with spending cuts elsewhere.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
