The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Discussion

May 6, 2009

Carl Junction panel pondering 18 percent increase in sewer rates







By Mike Pound

mpound@joplinglobe.com

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The city of Carl Junction’s engineering firm is recommending that the City Council consider raising sewer rates by about 18 percent.

Dean Willis, with Allgeier, Martin & Associates Inc., made his recommendation to the council Tuesday night. Steve Lawver, city administrator, said the council annually reviews the sewer rates. Last year’s sewer rates were increased by 3 percent, he said.

The average Carl Junction residential sewer bill runs $16.38 a month. If the council were to adopt Willis’ recommendation, that rate would increase by $2.95, to $19.33 a month.

This year’s requested hike, Lawver said, is needed to pay for anticipated maintenance and repairs to the wastewater-treatment plant, and to help offset costs associated with increased regulations by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

“There is more pressure from the DNR, in response to EPA pressure, for more stringent regulations in how plants are run, how the water is treated and the quality of the water that exits the plant,” he said.

In his report, Willis also recommended that the rate the city charges the village of Airport Drive to treat its wastewater be increased by 25 percent. Lawver said the city has a contract with Airport Drive under which it treats the village’s wastewater, and Airport Drive bills its residents and then pays the city of Carl Junction. Lawver said Carl Junction officials play no role in setting Airport Drive sewer rates.

The council delayed acting on Willis’ report until the matter can be discussed with Airport Drive officials. Lawver said the city typically tries to set its sewer rates at the same time it renews its contract with Airport Drive.

“The council wants to make sure that we talk to Airport Drive to let them know what we’re thinking,” Lawver said. “The council very much wants to keep Airport Drive informed.”





Decision pending



A decision by the Carl Junction City Council on sewer rates should come by early to midsummer, according to City Administrator Steve Lawver.

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