For the third time since 2002, Independence Township residents will pay more for their sewer services.
The Board of Trustees approved a rate increase from $57 to $58 per unit per quarter. The raise was due to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s rate increase of $1.56. The township’s Sewer Fund Balance will absorb the remaining 56 cents per unit per quarter. Independence Township DPW director Linda Richardson said this will account for less than $20,000.
In 2002 the board approved a rate increase of $5.37 and in 2003 a rate increase of $2.50. Before 2002, there had not been a rate increase since 1986.
‘When we had our rate study they recommended we continue to pass on the increases we receive,? Richardson said. ‘There will be another increase from the drain commissioner next year but we don’t know what it will be yet.?
The board voted 4-1 to approve the motion. Trustee Dave Wagner voted against the motion, while Trustee Dan Travis and Clerk Joan McCrary were not present at the meeting.
‘I don’t think we should have done this at this time,? Wagner said. ‘Economic times are still bad and everybody is in a pinch. We have a huge fund balance and even though it is not a high increase I do not think we needed to do it this year.?