Town proposes rate increases

The Town of Ekalaka is proposing several rate changes to water, sewer and garbage services. If the council votes to pass the resolutions, the changes will be effective with billing of services for January of 2024.

"It's been quite a while," said Town of Ekalaka Clerk/Treasurer Kamely Harkins when asked about the last time the town had raised rates.

Water rates

If passed, the base rate for water users will go up from $36.28 per month to $37.00 per month. Residents and businesses will also be paying 5 cents more per 1000 gallons of water used, a change from $1.90 per 1000 gallons to $1.95 per 1000 gallons.

The largest change in water rates would be water hookup fees and fees for vacant or inactive users if the resolutions are adopted. The hookup fee for water in town would double from $350 to $700 (plus the cost of materials). Inactive water users would see a rise in cost from $9.09 per month to $37 per month. Fees to turn on water would also double, from $25 to $50.

Sewer rates

If passed, the base rate for sewer usage for the Town of Ekalaka will go up from $23.10 per month to $33 per month. Again, incremental rates would go up 5 cents, as sewer users would be paying $1.75 per 3000 gallons instead of the current rate of $1.70 per 3000 gallons.

Similar to water fees, the proposed sewer hookup fees are the biggest change. The fee to hook up to the town sewer system will be $700 instead of $75 if the resolutions are adopted.

Garbage rates

The base rate for garbage usage for Ekalaka residents would go up $6.51 per month, from $13.49 to $20. The base rates for businesses in town would go up similarly, from $26.98 to $40 per month. Special rates for large furniture, construction and destruction materials and other miscellaneous non-standard household garbage will also be rising if the resolutions pass; large furniture from $10 to $20, construction/destruction materials from $25 to $40, and miscellaneous garbage from $25 to $30.

What it means

If the resolutions are all adopted as currently presented, the average residential monthly town bill will increase about $17.13 per month; the average commercial bill will increase around $23.64 per month.

The Town of Ekalaka is holding a public hearing on the proposed rate increases on Wednesday, January 3rd at 5 p.m. inside the town office, 103 N. Main St.

Further information about the proposed rate increases may be obtained by contacting Kamely Harkins, Town Clerk/Treasurer, 406-775-8731.