Your Utility Bill Is Going Up

In our last city council meeting there was a lengthy conversation regarding the Central Weber Sewer District. You see when we flush the toilet it has to go somewhere and someone has to take care of it, this is where the Central Weber Sewer District comes in. The Central Weber Sewer District is raising it rates starting in January. In fact they will be increasing their fees 100 percent and then have a scheduled increase for the next few years. To add to this, South Ogden City is considering increasing your base fee for sewer usage by 83 percent. After all of the increases we will pay 240 percent more in fees.  For 2009 you are looking at an increase of 183 percent. Unfortunately the city has little choice in this matter; the council is doing everything it can but maybe they could do something to lessen the blow.

Here is my suggestion. There are two types of fees that South Ogden charges:

1. A Base Fee
   
2. A Usage Fee
   

Everyone pays the base fee and this is the fee that is going up 83 percent, which will be about $4.50 per person. For someone on a fixed income this could hurt when you add the 100 percent increase from the sewer district. So instead of increasing the base fee, why not increase the usage fee with a variable rate. For example if your usage goes up, so goes up your rate. If the usage goes down, the then your rate goes down. Then your fees only go up if you use it. This might help the average senior citizen who doesn't use much water or the sewage system.

I personally know a few people that a $5.00 to $10.00 increase in fees would be tough, they are already donating plasma each month just to make ends meet. These are tough times we are moving into, I hope South Ogden residents are saving their money and preparing for such tough times. I think a tax increase for a rec. center gym facility only adds to this.

A meeting is set up for January 20th to get more public opinion and to address the issues with the Central Weber Sewer District.  Come and let your voice be heard or sound off here on the blog and let us know what you are thinking.