In their final meeting of the calendar year, the Spring Lake Board of Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a 17% increase in water and sewer rates, effective Jan. 1.
This decision is part of an ongoing effort to address issues with the town’s aging water and sewer systems. Town officials say the rate hike is necessary to generate the funds required for overdue repairs and upgrades to the systems, which have been plagued by years of wear and tear.
“This was a very hard decision for me,” said Commissioner Robyn Chadwick. “I do think it’s excessive, but I think it’s something that has to be done.”
The new rates will help the town generate the funds it needs to make repairs to or replace key parts of the systems, according to Town Manager Jon Rorie. The repairs would help to prevent future disruptions caused by system failures, he said.
In addition to the rate increase, commissioners also approved changes to the deposit fees for commercial businesses. The fees will be determined based on the size of the business’s water meter, an action designed to more fairly reflect the actual water usage of larger businesses like laundromats and car washes, Rorie explained. This adjustment is intended to help cover potential debts for the town should a business go out of operation, and ensure that businesses contribute appropriately to the town’s water and sewer operations.
Town Manager Jon Rorie noted that at the former deposit fee, the town could be out a significant amount of money should a business go under.
“If they fail after running up a $10,000 water bill, and our deposit is $150, do you know where we are at on the list of getting paid?” Rorie said. “We’re at the bottom of the list.”
Town officials acknowledged that the rate hike will impact residents with higher utility bills, but said the adjustments are essential for maintaining reliable service. The funding generated by these changes will be used for system repairs, including replacing aging sections of pipes and fixing leaks.
The next Spring Lake Board of Commissioners meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 6 at Spring Lake Town Hall, 300 Ruth St.
