City council considers sewer rates at work session

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The St. Joseph City Council is contemplating a plan that would keep increases to sewer rates at a modest level for the next several years.

This move comes as state and federal regulations force upgrades to an aging system. At a work session on Tuesday, councilmembers were presented with the findings of a sewer rate study conducted by Burns & McDonnell.

The two-year plan proposal being weighed by officials would see the city's sewer bills go up by 3% annually, mid-year, in 2025 and 2026. Under the proposal, residents would see an average bill increase of $1.85 monthly in 2025 and $1.94 in 2026.

The proposed plan is designed to let customers know what future costs to expect as St. Joseph continues the process of keeping its combined sewer system, 60% of which was installed before 1920, in compliance with modern regulations. Sewer rates increased by 4% in 2024, which was the first hike since 2017.

The city council will hold a sewer rate hearing on Monday, June 9, at its meeting. A vote on the new rate structure could come on Monday, June 23. If approved by the council, the 3% sewer rate increase would go into effect on July 1 bills.