City Council Considers Increasing Your Utility Bills

Sioux Falls city council discussed the possibility of raising electricity, sewer and water fees to bring in an additional 21 million dollars to city revenue.  The motion was passed to set a second reading of the proposal Tuesday May 3rd, 2016.

Public works director Mark Cotter says the current charge per gallon is .005 cents and the small increases would not be used as a profit, but put right back into maintaining or upgrading the water utility system.

An average household in Sioux Falls would see an increase monthly of two to three dollars for electricity, approximately 30 cents for sewer and 60 cents for water.

Newly elected city council member Theresa Stehly addressed the council as a resident during a public input opportunity to voice her concerns regarding the proposed increases.  In a released statement Stehly says the rate increases are unfair:

The city of Sioux Falls has doubled the water and sewer fees in the last 5 years. Now a proposed rate increase will raise them another 18% over the next 3 years.

The second reading and potential vote would take place prior to new council members being sworn in on May 17, 2016.

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