Village plans double-digit sewer increase

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen village board discussed the need to raise sewer rates during their regular meeting Monday, April 18. Superintendent of Utilities Mark Specchio said the sewer department is currently "running in the red," noting they need to request a rate increase since their funding agent has requested they take this step to balance their budget.
Specchio presented the board with the proposed numbers, which include double-digit percentage increases. The charge for zero to 300 cubic feet (or zero to 2,250 gallons) will go from $13.26 to $15.25 (15 percent). For each 100 cubic feet over 300 cubic feet, the rate will go from $4.59 to $5.25 (14.4 percent). For each 1,000 gallons over 2,250 gallons, the rate will go from $6.14 to $6.80 (10.7 percent). The sewer rent charge per month will also go from $6 to $7 (16.7 percent). Specchio estimated these changes will increase their annual budget by around $50,000.
The board approved the 2015-16 sewer fund budget during the meeting, Village Clerk Donna Beardsley adding they will then need to approve the rate increases before then approving the 2016-17 sewer fund budget. Specchio said the rate increase could not be approved until the current year's budget is approved. Beardsley said the prior administration did not do this for the past three years for sewer along with water and electric, noting the budget that is on the record is from 2012. She said this measure means the 2016-17 budget will be based off of actual figures from 2015-16
"When a budget is not approved by a board, you roll over the prior year," Beardsley said. "That's what we have been doing."
The village board will still have to act on the proposed rate changes when they are put on the agenda at a future meeting.