City Raises Sewer Rates

Starting June 16, it’s going to cost more to flush the toilet in Lemon Grove.

At its meeting Tuesday night, the City Council voted unanimously to approve a 3.75 percent sewer rate hike for property owners in the city.

The city last raised rates for sewer use in 2007. Rates increased 7.7 percent annually through fiscal 2010, then 7.2 percent this year.

Current monthly charges are $40.18 for a single family home. The new model allows the city to raise the rate 3.75 percent annually for the next five years, boosting fees from $41.69 this year up to $48.30 by 2016.

“I don’t like it either, but we have a lot of flexibility,” said Mayor Mary Sessom. “A lot might change in a year.”

The city estimates the increase will generate $186,000 this year to fund improvements needed to the city’s aging sewer pipes and other operational obligations.

The increase was based on a comprehensive rate study conducted by Bartle Wells, a consulting firm.

City Manager Graham Mitchell said the increase would protect the city’s reserve fund.

In other business Tuesday night, council members approved a two-tier retirement plan for new miscellaneous employees, and cleared the way for the city to apply for a grant that would fund improvements to .

A community meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the park to hear what kind of amenities the public might like to see put in place.