Published: September 23, 2008 10:45 pm      

TOWN OF LOCKPORT: Bigger water cut projected; sewer users may see hike

TOWN OF LOCKPORT — Latest projections show property owners will enjoy a bigger water tax cut next year, while some sewer users see increased fees.

Repair of a major line leak this past summer on Gothic Hill Road could save the town up to $85,000, about 10 percent of its county water tab, next year, Budget Director Robert Lipp said Tuesday. Between that savings and a portion of the water fund’s healthy fund balance, he’s able to recommend the town raise $160,000 less from water users next year.

Savings will come from the portion of the water fund raised off property assessments. Lipp presented figures to the town board suggesting the tax savings on a $100,000 property is $23.34. On a $110,000 home in Carlisle Gardens subdivision it’s $25.67 and on a $70,000 home in Lincoln Village, it’s $16.34.

Town property owners pay for water in two places: their annual county-town tax bill and quarterly usage charges. The quarterly fee structure would not change.

Also Tuesday, Supervisor Marc Smith recommended the town board approve a new fee structure for sewer billing. He said the reason is to make the structure more “equitable” and raise needed capital funds from those who use the service most.

The town currently charges all sewer users the same flat fee, $25 per quarter, for service. The fee hasn’t changed in at least 20 years, according to Smith. The town has paid for a recent round of system repair projects by spending sewer fund balance, and the balance is now depleted, he said.

Smith proposed switching to a usage-based billing method. Properties that use up to 15,000 gallons of water per quarter would pay the $25 sewer fee, and properties that use more water would pay an additional charge of $2 per 1,000 gallons.

“The change typically would affect heavier users, not our one- and two-person households,” Smith said.

Board members signaled they favor the proposal. Up to 15,000 gallons of water, Mark Crocker figured, the cost of sewer service is about $1.60 per 1,000 gallons of water, so a charge of $2 per unit above the minimum isn’t excessive.

“I think it better shows the true cost of (service),” Paul Siejak added. “Certainly six people in a house use more water than two people.”

The board has to approve use-based fee changes separate of its votes on the annual general, water and sewer budgets.

Contact reporter Joyce Miles at 439-9222, ext. 6245.