Laserfiche WebLink
1 <br />1 <br />COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 2, 1991 <br />expenses and avoid bottom line losses ?" <br />It was noted that Minnesota residents have been hit hard with <br />property tax increases, face large increases in sales tax and other <br />taxes and may be very angry at another increase in the cost of <br />services. Mr. Schneider noted that the City Charter does not allow <br />for any portion of the sewer and water enterprise fund to be <br />assessed throughout the City. The Charter also states that all <br />enterprise funds will be self supporting. There was discussion <br />regarding the restrictions of the City Charter. <br />Mr. Schneider noted that the single most important cost of the <br />sewer utility is the MWCC rate. MWCC is being pressured to remove <br />phosphorous in its treatment process and is under intense pressure <br />from the EPA to clean up the Mississippi River at the Pigs Eye <br />treatment area. Both of these processes will greatly increase the <br />rate charged by MWCC to the cities. Other cities will be faced by <br />the same situation that is facing Lino Lakes. All cities will be <br />forced to raise rates. <br />The Sewer and Water Rate Study indicates that at least a 5% <br />increase in rates is needed.' This is the cost of inflation and the <br />cost should be raised by this amount each year. <br />There was discussion regarding changing the billing process to a <br />monthly billing rather than a quarterly billing. Mr. Schumacher <br />noted other cities who have done this and returned to the quarterly <br />billing because monthly billing was very costly and time consuming. <br />Mr. Schneider told the Council that he will refine this Sewer and <br />Water Rate Study and bring it back to the Council for further <br />discussion. <br />A public hearing for the Sewer and Water Rate Study has been set <br />for May 28, 1991. Mr. Schneider will have graphics prepared for <br />the hearing. <br />The work session adjourned at 4:50 P.M. <br />These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular <br />Council meeting held on May 28, 1991. <br />�G: Anderson, <br />reasurer <br />f1A(z.g(_��/ <br />Harold L. Bisel, <br />Mayor <br />PAGE 3 <br />135 <br />