An overflowing manhole discharges untreated water.
/ File Photo
COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Columbia water and sewer customers could soon be paying more each month under a city budget plan approved Tuesday evening.
Columbia City Council voted unanimously to approve raising water and sewer rates five percent. That would increase the average monthly bill by about $2 for city residents and $3.43 for customers outside the city, according to Columbia officials.
The proposed rate hike would help the city pay for more than $100 million in upgrades to Columbia's aging water and sewer system. City sewers spilled more than a million gallons of untreated water during the last six months, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. That's more than any other water system in the state.
Columbia's proposed water-and-sewer rate increase is included as part of the city's proposed FY 2011/2012 budget. The budget plan would increase city general fund spending more than 7 percent to $115,201,254. It contains funding for 39 new police cars, a ladder truck for the fire department, 12 heavy trucks and various technology and software upgrades.
The budget does not contain a property tax increase. It also excludes city workers from a cost-of-living salary increase for the third consecutive year.
City council is scheduled to hold a final vote on the proposed FY 2011/2012 budget on June 21.
What do you think about the proposed spending plan? Do you support an increase in water and sewer rates to support improvements to the city's infrastructure? Please leave a comment and tell us what you think.
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