Council Will Look At Utility Rates

At the February 25th Gillette City Council Workshop, Director of Utilities Kendall Glover led a discussion on utility rates. Glover updated the council on the impact to the city's enterprise fund rates that the finance department has identified. Glover said that the utilities department takes an overall recommended percentage increase and analyzes it with a typical residential costumer to arrive at what the monthly fees should be after the percent increase is determined.

For solid waste, the council was presented with the recommendation of a 45 cent increase per month for trash service. For the typical residential consumer, a $1.43 for waste-water fees was the recommendation. Power rates were recommended to rise per month an additional $2.80.

"All told, that represents about a $4.50 to $5.00 increase a month for the three enterprise funds, and the increase is needed to cover revenue requirements which are at a shortfall, primarily because of our (City of Gillette) costs rising."---Glover

Glover said last year's rate increases totaled about $4.60. Glover noted that an increase in water rates was not being recommended this year but could likely be revisited next year.  A 60 cent per month increase was recommended for households that take advantage of the city's yard waste program. A public hearing to receive public comment to revise the utility rates with be held at the March 4th Gillette City Council Meeting.  The first of three readings for the ordinance will follow directly after that public hearing.

More with Glover: