LANSING, Mich. — Homeowners and businesses could be looking at paying a lot more for water in one community.
Charlotte has a 22% water and sewer rate hike on the table.
To put the change into perspective, the average customer pays about $200 every quarter. A 22% increase would raise a customer's bill $44 a quarter, which would equal almost $200 a year. It would be even worse for some businesses in the city.
"I've been the owner since 1968. 51 years," said Gary Beebe, the owner of the Wash Basket located on E. Lovett St. and S. Washington St.
The business is Beebe's livelihood. He's used to the city raising the price of utilities.
"I anticipate this increase the city is proposing for this year will likely increase my quarterly bill by $200.00," he said.
City council will be presented with two implementation options for the rate increase. The 22% increase could be implemented all at once, or the increase would occur over a two-year period: 11% for the first year and the rest for the second year.
Gregg Guetschow, city manager, said the extra money is needed to help pay for additional expenses.
"We have an older wastewater treatment plant that requires significant investments just to replace equipment that is wearing out," he said. "As we expand our street reconstruction program we also need to then increase the amount that we're spending for new water and sewer lines underneath those streets."
He added that the city will also be seeing additional costs to comply with state regulations.
"If they justify it by that it's actually needed for infrastructure repairs then I guess I have to go with it," Beebe said.
If the price of utilities goes up, Beebe said the price to use his machines also must go up. He would raise the price of certain washers up 25 cents a load.
He's hoping his customers will take the increase as a necessary expense.
The rates would be effective July 1st. Customers would see them on bills sent in October.
The council could vote on the increase at Monday's meeting at 7 p.m. at Charlotte City Hall located at 111 E. Lawrence Avenue.
The final decision won't be made until the next meeting two weeks from now.
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