Rathdrum sewer fees to rise

RATHDRUM - Rathdrum's sewer fees are on the rise.

The City Council on Tuesday night approved a resolution increasing fees 4.5 percent.

The base sewer rate for up to 6,000 gallons will increase from $40.65 to $42.40 and the rate for each 1,000 gallons over 6,000 will increase from $6.78 to $7.06.

The increases reflect a 2.5 percent increase in Post Falls and 2 percent hike to cover costs associated with Rathdrum's operation and maintenance of the sewer system for a total of 4.5 percent. Post Falls treats Rathdrum's wastewater.

"Through our budget process, we were informed of the (Post Falls) increase," city administrator Brett Boyer said.

The city also learned that it needed more income to keep up with maintaining its portion of the system.

"Our auditor has red flagged that the sewer ending fund balance is too low and is not providing for the replacement of lines and pumps, so we decided in the budget process to address work on that deficiency," Boyer said.

The sewer capitalization/connection fee is being increased 2.85 percent from $3,036.54 to $3,123.55 as a result of Post Falls increasing by the amount.

Since the fee increases were less than 5 percent, a public hearing on the hikes was not required.

- In other business, the council confirmed the appointment of David Kellner to the Planning and Zoning Commission by Mayor Vic Holmes.

Kellner has lived in Rathdrum for five years, is retired and was formerly a planning and zoning commissioner in Moses Lake. He has an engineering degree.

Kellner replaces Tina Fabian, who moved. His term lasts through 2013.

The five-member commission meets monthly to review land-use proposals.