The Lake View City Council held a lengthy discussion but ultimately passed the first reading of three ordinances that will be increasing water, sewage, and electrical rates. Studies were completed by Piper Sandler for water and sewer and DGR for electric, showing that Lake View was on the lower end of rates compared to neighboring communities and in order to build reserves or have cash to complete various projects, it was recommended to increase rates. City Clerk, Kay Cates, said both the base pay, which is the minimum charge for the usage and a per-gallon rate for sewer will be going up.
The new per gallon rate will now be $10.30 for sewer. Water rates were raised three percent last year, but remained stable from 2015 to 2023, which caused the council to approve a higher percentage increase for city and rural water rates.
Electric is separated into four categories. Residential month charge will be $17.50, plus a 15 percent increase on the current eight cents for the first 1,000 kilowatts and an additional 15 percent increase on the 6.07 cent rate for usage over the 1,000. Rural residents will have a base rate of $35, the first 1,000 kilowatts will be increasing 15 percent from 9.5 cents, with another increase of 15 percent on the 5.7 cents for usage over 2,000. Cates says commercial and industrial rates will fall similar to the rural rates.
The ordinances must go through a second and third reading before being adopted. If all three readings are approved, the rates will go into effect starting July 1, which will also start Fiscal Year 2026.
