03022016 - News Article - Sewage, trash fee hikes approved in Portage

Sewage, trash fee hikes approved in Portage
Carole Carlson
Post-Tribune
March 02, 2016 - 10:59AM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-city-council-st-0303-20160302-story.html

Portage residents will see their sewage and trash fees increase by a combined $15 in June.

The City Council begrudgingly, but unanimously, approved two rate hike ordinances Tuesday, saying the city's infrastructure must be improved and maintained. It marked the first sewage increase in 20 years.

"I've sat on the council for 20 years and we have eroding pipes and all kinds of issues," said Councilman Mark Oprisko, D-at-large. "You can't go 20 years without raising operating or labor costs."

Mayor James Snyder said city officials examined several studies before deciding on a proposal that is coupled with a nearly $10 million bond issue to address serious infrastructure issues, including construction of a $3.8 million sewage interceptor on the north side of the city and $2 million in improvements at City Hall. The increased sewage bills will help pay the bond issue.

"We went through several studies because this is not easy for us to do," said Snyder of the rate increases.

In June, a monthly bill will jump from $23.50 to $32.50 for a single family. In subsequent years, the rate will increase 50 cents per month. Officials said the 50-cent inflater should help avoid large rate increases. The rates will be examined in three to five years.

Trash bills will increase from $12 to $18 per month, including a 25-cent-per-month inflater beginning in 2017.

A few Portage residents opposed the increases.

"This is a little alarming to me, many of us in Portage are senior citizens. If I'm lucky, I have one bag," said Patricia Resheter of the trash increase. Senior citizens will receive a $3 monthly discount, if they register with the city.

Snyder said the costs associated with trash pickup are in personnel, not the volume of trash collected. In past years, Snyder said the city offered workers pay increases by deferring needed sewer maintenance and line rehabilitation.

Councilman Collin Czilli, D-5th, said the rate increases surprised him, too, until he studied the issue. "Nobody likes an increase, but you can see we're improving the system. If we don't improve now, we'll have to pay later."