CRESWELL – Residents can expect rate increases for public safety, water, sewer, and trash beginning July 1. All increases were approved by the city council at Monday’s meeting. There was no public comment.
The public safety fee increased to $15.33 per month from $14.56 for both residential and non-residential units. LCSO Sgt. Scott Denham said his team was facing more incidents, and cited growing homeless activity, an increase in theft such as catalytic converters, and convenience store robberies.
“We had a guy roll into town that was sleeping on people’s porches, the schoolhouse porch, the library and the middle school. He had a couple of warrants and decided to fight with two deputies; they fought with him for about five minutes and he got a ride to jail,” Denham said. “Maybe he won’t come back and maybe he will.”
Water rates paid by city users of the Creswell municipal water system with a three-quarter-inch or smaller meter will have a base pay of $39.27 monthly, a $0.77 increase. Costs vary for users with a larger meter.
Outside city users with a three-quarter-inch or smaller meter pay $56.45 monthly, a $1.11 increase, while prices vary for users with larger meters.
Increased sewer rates are projected to enable the sewer fund to continue to meet current funding balance requirements, reserves and policies while also planning for future infrastructure replacement costs. Though sewer rates are calculated individually, a 2% increase will appear on the monthly bill beginning July 1.
Additionally, a rate increase of 2.3% for Sanipac waste collection and disposal services was approved, a $0.50 monthly increase. Common residential areas will pay $22.40 beginning July 1.
Mayor Knudsen opposed the increase, stating it is not required in the contract, but was outvoted 6-1.
