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Public meeting to discuss utility rate changes
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FarkTwo public meetings about Rapid City’s utility rates scheduled this week are intended to let the public hear the same information presented to the Rapid City Council, ask questions and provide input about the city’s water and sewer rate study.
Rates may rise 10 to 15 percent on average over the next several years, primarily to pay debt service on $135 million project to build two water treatment plants and upgrade the water distribution system. Even without that project, rates may need to rise to cover the cost of inflation and ongoing maintenance of aging infrastructure.
The first meeting is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Room CB204E in the Classroom Building at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
A second meeting is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the lunchroom at West Middle School, 1003 Soo San Dr.
A consultant with North Dakota-based Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services will present information and answer questions. A third meeting will be scheduled by the city council.
The city is considering two loan financing options. One mainly uses the state revolving loan fund with a 20-year payback. The other uses revenue bonds with a 30-year payback. Using the SRF would mean faster payback and lower loan interest, but also would mean city customers would pay higher monthly utility rates than under the second scenario.
City staff recommends the 30-year bond route. The city council wanted input from the public before making a decision.
The public can view information previously presented to the council through the city’s Web site at www.rcgov.org, and clicking on the water and sewer utility study link.
Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415, or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com
Public invited to listen, ask questions about city utility rate study
By Scott Aust
Journal staff
Two public meetings about Rapid City’s utility rates scheduled this week are intended to let the public hear the same information presented to the Rapid City Council, ask questions and provide input about the city’s water and sewer rate study.
Rates may rise 10 to 15 percent on average over the next several years, primarily to pay debt service on $135 million project to build two water treatment plants and upgrade the water distribution system. Even without that project, rates may need to rise to cover the cost of inflation and ongoing maintenance of aging infrastructure.
The first meeting is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Room CB204E in the Classroom Building at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
A second meeting is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the lunchroom at West Middle School, 1003 Soo San Dr.
A consultant with North Dakota-based Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services will present information and answer questions. A third meeting will be scheduled by the city council.
The city is considering two loan financing options. One mainly uses the state revolving loan fund with a 20-year payback. The other uses revenue bonds with a 30-year payback. Using the SRF would mean faster payback and lower loan interest, but also would mean city customers would pay higher monthly utility rates than under the second scenario.
City staff recommends the 30-year bond route. The city council wanted input from the public before making a decision.
The public can view information previously presented to the council through the city’s Web site at www.rcgov.org, and clicking on the water and sewer utility study link.
Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415, or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com
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