MONROE - The Monroe Board of Public Works Monday night unanimously recommended to Council to approve a possible simplified rate increase for water, to be submitted to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Residential consumers would see an average $8 increase in their yearly water bill. The increase would begin with the June 1 quarterly water bill.
Monroe's last water rate increase was in 2004, when the rate of return had dropped. Rate of return is the operating income for construction projects.
At that time, the increase was 8 percent which added about $4 per quarter per household.
According to Water Department Supervisor Mike Kennison, the PSC authorizes a 6.5 percent rate of return, but Monroe now stands at 1.3 percent.
The PSC insists the rate of return be kept up, "so as not to hit (consumers) all at once" Kennison said.
The city must go through the process of a "simplified rate increase" of 3 percent first, before applying for the full rate of return in 2009. The PSC has to approve the simplified rate increase, and could possible allow less than 3 percent.
Kennison said the 3 percent would produce an income of about $12,000 to $15,000 for the city.
In other business, the board:
• Approved locations for 2008 street construction and recommended preliminary resolution to Council. A public hearing on the issue and final action on the resolution is expected May 6. Included in the locations is a total reconstruction, including storm and sanitary sewers, of 16th Avenue from Sixth through Eighth streets. Property owners along the 16th Avenue section will be assessed about 20 percent of the cost of curb and gutters.
Other locations include reconstructions, minus sewer systems, of 18th Street from First through Fourth Street, 16th Street from 28th Avenue to County K, and 25th Avenue from 13th through 17th Street are also scheduled for reconstruction. Eighth Street from Wisconsin 69 to the west edge of the city limits will receive a seal coat of asphalt coated rock.
• Accepted quotes from Tapco, Elk Grove, in the amount of $6,394 for 2008 traffic paint, including 340 gallons white, 210 gallons yellow, and 4,000 pounds of glass spheres, and authorized Street Department to purchase.
• Authorized the Water Department to seek quotes for printing of 2007 Consumer Confidence report. The expense was budgeted.
• Authorized the Water Department to sell a 1987 GMC 1/2 ton pick-up by sealed bids. According to Kennison, the truck was acquired from the Engineering Department about six to eight years ago and has been replaced.
• Approved a permit application and agreement for Auto Clinic of Monroe, LLC, to erect a sign overhanging the city right of way.
• Approved bills for payment: Whitney Tree Service, $1,764 for tree removal; Fehr-Graham, $2,951 for 16th Avenue sewer improvement and $748 for water utility block grant; Green Valley Disposal, $3,320.58 for January recycling and $2,593.04 for February recycling.
Residential consumers would see an average $8 increase in their yearly water bill. The increase would begin with the June 1 quarterly water bill.
Monroe's last water rate increase was in 2004, when the rate of return had dropped. Rate of return is the operating income for construction projects.
At that time, the increase was 8 percent which added about $4 per quarter per household.
According to Water Department Supervisor Mike Kennison, the PSC authorizes a 6.5 percent rate of return, but Monroe now stands at 1.3 percent.
The PSC insists the rate of return be kept up, "so as not to hit (consumers) all at once" Kennison said.
The city must go through the process of a "simplified rate increase" of 3 percent first, before applying for the full rate of return in 2009. The PSC has to approve the simplified rate increase, and could possible allow less than 3 percent.
Kennison said the 3 percent would produce an income of about $12,000 to $15,000 for the city.
In other business, the board:
• Approved locations for 2008 street construction and recommended preliminary resolution to Council. A public hearing on the issue and final action on the resolution is expected May 6. Included in the locations is a total reconstruction, including storm and sanitary sewers, of 16th Avenue from Sixth through Eighth streets. Property owners along the 16th Avenue section will be assessed about 20 percent of the cost of curb and gutters.
Other locations include reconstructions, minus sewer systems, of 18th Street from First through Fourth Street, 16th Street from 28th Avenue to County K, and 25th Avenue from 13th through 17th Street are also scheduled for reconstruction. Eighth Street from Wisconsin 69 to the west edge of the city limits will receive a seal coat of asphalt coated rock.
• Accepted quotes from Tapco, Elk Grove, in the amount of $6,394 for 2008 traffic paint, including 340 gallons white, 210 gallons yellow, and 4,000 pounds of glass spheres, and authorized Street Department to purchase.
• Authorized the Water Department to seek quotes for printing of 2007 Consumer Confidence report. The expense was budgeted.
• Authorized the Water Department to sell a 1987 GMC 1/2 ton pick-up by sealed bids. According to Kennison, the truck was acquired from the Engineering Department about six to eight years ago and has been replaced.
• Approved a permit application and agreement for Auto Clinic of Monroe, LLC, to erect a sign overhanging the city right of way.
• Approved bills for payment: Whitney Tree Service, $1,764 for tree removal; Fehr-Graham, $2,951 for 16th Avenue sewer improvement and $748 for water utility block grant; Green Valley Disposal, $3,320.58 for January recycling and $2,593.04 for February recycling.