City water, sewer, garbage rates could increase

Bonners Ferry City Council is studying the possibility of increasing water rates by 10 percent, sewer rates by 30 percent and garbage rates by 12 percent.

If approved, garbage rates will be increased by $1 from $8.25 to $9.25, sewer rates will go from $10.15 to $13.20 per connection. Water rates will increase depending on water usage.

Even though these increases were built into the 2009 city budget, a public hearing will be held after studies are completed to implement increases.

City Council already raised electricity rates by 7.7 percent on Aug.1. A hearing was held in July. This was the first time since 2005 that utility rates have gone up in Bonners Ferry, according to City Administrator Steven Boorman.

In related matters, the city would like to do capital improvements valued at $1 million. The budget has $106,000 available.

“Every year the department heads come up with the items that need to be done,” said Boorman. “Nine out of 10 of those won’t happen.”

Some things included on the wish list are new roofs for City Hall and Bonners Ferry Fire Station; each are budgeted for $40,000 and $50,000, respectively; new carpet and linoleum for City Hall, budgeted for $5,300; a covered storage area forthe City Lot, budgeted for $150,000; and a new grader for the street department, budgeted for $200,000.

“The City Hall and Fire Department’s roofs are at the end of their lives,” said Boorman. “They need to be replaced and are high priority.”

The other items are not high on the list and will be done if money is available.

“We make educated predictions on what is going to happen,” said Boorman. “This is where we think we are going to be. It is going to be a tight year.”