Electric, sewer rate increase proposed

The City of Bonners Ferry will be raising electric and sewer fees for residents and businesses in Bonners Ferry.

City council  will have public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009  at City Hall on the matter.   

The city has proposed increasing electric  rates increasing from $9.95 to $10.47 a month  inside city limits; from $14.17 to $14.91  outside city limits; from $31.20 to $32.83 for businesses inside city limits; and from $39.72 to $41.80 for businesses outside city limits. 

Sewer rates are proposed to be increased from $12.15 to $17 per equivalent dwelling unit.

“The main reason for the electric increase is because the company we contract with has increased our rate,” said city clerk Kris Larson.  “When the contract fees go up so does the customer rate.” 

The city purchases two-thirds  of its power from Bonneville Power.  The contract between Bonneville Power and the city has gone up and can only be recovered by raising rates, according to Larson.

The reasons for the proposed sewer rate increases are to cover the costs of operating the system and to meet regulatory requirements mandated by Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.   Larson said chemical costs are higher and more costs are coming in.  The only revenue that comes in is from the customers.

“It is just costing more for us to keep in compliance,” said Larson.