Somerset Board discusses possible water rate hike

One item up for discussion at the Somerset Village Board meeting on May 15 was whether the village will raise its water rates by 3.2 percent.

Board member Ryan Sicard said a simplified rate case analysis by the auditor showed that the village is eligible for a water rate increase.

He said the last water rate increase in the village was in September 2009.

“Based on the estimates, (documented in the analysis) on 6,000 gallons a quarter it’d be a $1.08 increase, on 15,000 gallons it’d be $1.80 and 20,000 gallons would be $2.20,” Sicard said.

He said the 3.2 percent rate came from a formula used by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.

Sicard said though the board doesn’t like to increase rates, doing so would be beneficial to the village.

“I’m the last one to advocate for increases, but at the same time, we have the responsibility to keep the water funds healthy,” he said.

Last year the water funds nearly broke even, according to Village Clerk Pamela Donohoe.

Sicard said he brought up the rate increase eligibility for information purposes only, but he recommended the board discuss the option further in future meetings.

In other news:

-Design Engineer Robert Jones told the board that construction on the Shay Street lift station is still on schedule. He said the project is estimated to be completed by early July.

-The board approved the first pay request for the Shay Street lift station project in the amount of $212,580.88.

-The board approved seal coating, crack filling and road maintenance in various locations around the village for a total amount of $30,600. The work will be done by the St. Croix County Highway Department.

-The board approved repair and service work at the waste water treatment plant. The replacement of the diffusers is supposed to be done every five years, and the plant’s current diffusers are 11 years old. The board approved Aquarobic International to do the work for $10,800.

-The board approved the purchase of four radios for the police department with a total cost of $2,016.

Tags: local government, communities, wisconsin, somerset