MONROE - Three people showed up for a telephone public hearing on city water rates, but no one commented on a proposed rate increase.
The Monroe water utility filed an application with the Public Service Commission to increase water rates for Monroe by 17 to 18 percent. Public comment was encouraged during the public hearing Wednesday, Feb. 19 at City Hall, but to no avail.
"I think this is really more of a formality," said Mike Kennison, water utility supervisor. The call lasted about 10 minutes due to the lack of public voice.
A retired street department worker ,Henry Tschanz, 79, said he came to the hearing to listen but did not wish to voice any remarks.
"I don't support it," he said. "For elderly people with a fixed income, it's a bad thing."
The public also had the opportunity to send in letters or comment online up to a day before the hearing but there were no participants.
Kennison said the water utility needs the increase to offset operational costs. Water rates increased about two years ago but that increase was only half of what the utility asked for. This proposed increase could potentially cover the remaining half it initially sought.
"We rely on user fees," Kennison said. "We don't get any taxes from the fed, we pay property tax."
Colin Simpson, director of public works for the city, echoed Kennison and said they will do their diligence to make sure the funds are spent properly.
"We are expected by the public to provide clean drinking water. It's a fixed product," he said. "But operation costs are not under our control, that's why we need the increase."
If approved, the average residential customer who uses 1,500 cubic feet of water per quarter will increase from $35 to $42 not including fire protection and from $49 to $58 including fire protection.
Kennison said he expects the PSC will issue a decision on the rate proposal in the next couple weeks, then it will be up to the Common Council to ratify the rates.
The Monroe water utility filed an application with the Public Service Commission to increase water rates for Monroe by 17 to 18 percent. Public comment was encouraged during the public hearing Wednesday, Feb. 19 at City Hall, but to no avail.
"I think this is really more of a formality," said Mike Kennison, water utility supervisor. The call lasted about 10 minutes due to the lack of public voice.
A retired street department worker ,Henry Tschanz, 79, said he came to the hearing to listen but did not wish to voice any remarks.
"I don't support it," he said. "For elderly people with a fixed income, it's a bad thing."
The public also had the opportunity to send in letters or comment online up to a day before the hearing but there were no participants.
Kennison said the water utility needs the increase to offset operational costs. Water rates increased about two years ago but that increase was only half of what the utility asked for. This proposed increase could potentially cover the remaining half it initially sought.
"We rely on user fees," Kennison said. "We don't get any taxes from the fed, we pay property tax."
Colin Simpson, director of public works for the city, echoed Kennison and said they will do their diligence to make sure the funds are spent properly.
"We are expected by the public to provide clean drinking water. It's a fixed product," he said. "But operation costs are not under our control, that's why we need the increase."
If approved, the average residential customer who uses 1,500 cubic feet of water per quarter will increase from $35 to $42 not including fire protection and from $49 to $58 including fire protection.
Kennison said he expects the PSC will issue a decision on the rate proposal in the next couple weeks, then it will be up to the Common Council to ratify the rates.