St. Joseph City Commissioners will be told tonight that current water and sewer rates in place are not sufficient to meet the annual cash requirements of the water & sewer funds, necessitating an increase to both rates for fiscal 2016-2017. Businesses and residents in the city alike can expect to face a 3.5-percent increase in water rates and a 23-percent hike in sewer charges beginning July 1, 2016 if approved by commissioners this evening.
City Clerk & Finance Director Deb Koroch will present the city with a resolution tonight taking billing rates higher based on the recommendations of the Water Services Joint Operating Board at their regular meeting back in February. The recommended rates were established through water and sewer rate studies conducted in February and March.
Koroch reminds the commission that the State of Michigan Municipal Finance Authority "requires the City of St. Joseph to establish rates sufficient to operate and maintain the water and sewer systems while making the required debt service payments."
Utility Rates set to be established tonight include the following (as compared to current rates being charged):
| Per Meter Size | Water Rate 2015/16 | Water Rate 2016/17 | Sewer Rate 2015/16 | Sewer Rate 2016/17 |
| 5/8 inch meter | $16.25 | $16.82 | $14.20 | $17.50 |
| 3/4 inch meter | $17.88 | $18.50 | $15.62 | $19.25 |
| 1 inch meter | $22.75 | $23.55 | $19.88 | $24.50 |
| 1.5 inch meter | $29.25 | $30.28 | $25.56 | $31.50 |
| 2 inch meter | $47.13 | $48.78 | $41.18 | $50.75 |
| 3 inch meter | $178.75 | $185.02 | $156.20 | $192.48 |
| 4 inch meter | $227.50 | $235.48 | $198.80 | $244.98 |
| 6 inch meter | $341.25 | $353,22 | $298.20 | $367.47 |
| Plus Per Unit | $1.86/unit | $1.93/Unit | $2.33/Unit | $2.42/Unit |
