Kalona City Council moving forward with amending ordinance raising water and sewer flat rates

The Kalona City Council is moving forward with amending an ordinance to allow for a 3 percent increase on flat rates for both water and sewer. The increase is equal to 34 cents for water and 37 cents for sewer.

At their meeting on Monday, April 15, City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh explained the per 1,000 gallon rate of $2.65 for water and $3 for sewer will remain the same. The flat rate will increase per month, for water, from $11.30 to $11.64 and for sewer, from $12.10 to $12.47.

Fees for stormwater, garbage and the like will all remain the same. He said homeowners can expect an increase of 71 cents a month, which will equal $8.52 a year, and the expected revenues for the City of Kalona are equal to about $10,000.

'We did not do anything last year with the belief that we were going through the garbage transition,” he explained. 'We didn't feel it appropriate at that time that we did an increase on water and sewer.”

In order to approve the ordinance, the amendment must be passed at two of three readings. The first reading will take place during the next Kalona City Council meeting. If approved, the change will take place in FY20 and residents will see the change on their bill this August.

In other news, the council agreed to begin seeking bids for water main replacement on Sixth and H avenues. Schlabaugh explained that after meeting with an engineer, it was recommended they bore in a 6-inch line. The estimated cost of this project will be $70,000 to $75,000. The project will go out for bid in May with work expected to take place in June or July.

The project will be paid for with water funds and will have no additional cost to homeowners.

The next meeting of the Kalona City Council will be Monday, May 6, at 7 p.m. in City Hall.