Possible increase in 2020
By Tracy Ouellette
SLN Staff
The East Troy Village Board decided to leave the sewer rates as they stand for 2019 after Ehlers presented the sewer utility rate study at the Dec. 17 board meeting.
The village commissioned the study in fall and included an analysis of historical performance, long-range cash flow and the equipment replacement fund.
The study found that the sewer utility had operated with a positive net income for the past four years and had nearly $3.4 million in cash reserves.
“For fiscal year 2019, we recommend the Utility maintain its current rates as revenues at current usages and customer counts will be sufficient to pay all financial obligations. We recommend the Utility look to increase rates in 2020 and beyond as shown in the Sewer Rate Model and Long‐Range Cash Flow Analysis,” the study stated.
Trustee John Jacoby said he thought it might be a good idea to raise the rates in 2019 to “get ahead of the game” but other board members did not agree.
“No, not now,” Village Board President Scott Seager said. “I understand what you’re saying, but all I think about when it comes to things like this are the elderly in our community who are living on fixed incomes.”
Ehlers representatives at the meeting told the board they were recommending a 3 percent increase for 2020, but that would be dependent on the budget needs. The board decided to review the utilities’ needs at budget time and make the decision then on an increase if needed.
The full report is available at easttroywi.gov, under “Village Government” by going to the “Agendas, Packets and Minutes” page and choosing the meetings packet.
In other action at the Dec. 17 meeting, the Village Board:
- Approved the engineering cost for the South Street forced main replacement, apart of the lift station project, at not more than, $39,495;
- Approved the 2019 municipal fee schedule;
- Approved the SMART (Suburban Mutual Response Team) agreement at the request of the police department;
- Approved the Mitchel Park drainage project proposal:
- Discussed the dog part and needed fencing, instructing staff to meet with the East Troy High School Key Club, which is fundraising for the park, that the village wanted a chain-link or cyclone fence around the park; and
- Approved the Plan Commission’s recommended changes to the zoning code in regard to conditional uses and related matters.
