Cary water, sewer costs going up Feb. 1

Cary residents: That flush in your cheeks may be the result of blustery January winds. Or it could be that it will cost you extra when you flush your toilet come Feb. 1.

Village trustees this week approved a 3¼-percent-a-year increase for the next two years in water and sewer rates to move the village's water and sanitation fund into the black.

The increases will raise the combined rate from $5.80 to $5.99 per 1,000 gallons in the first year and to $6.18 per 1,000 gallons in the second year. Rates won't rise next year until May 1.

Trustees also approved a $1 user fee per two-month billing cycle, which will go up to $2 in the second year.

Average water and sewer users can expect to pay about $5.42 more a month, based on 9,000 gallons of water used.

It's the first significant increase in eight years.

Village officials expect to see an additional $102,436 in revenue from the rate increase in the first year, plus another $74,364 from the user fees.

"Operating costs have been increasing steadily over the years, resulting in expenditures outpacing revenue," said Tom Kierna, chairman of the village's public works committee. "It is time to bring revenue in line with expenses. We should be operating in a positive cash position within the next two years."

The village has only implemented a 1 percent increase since January 1, 2000, village officials said.

"The village probably didn't want to raise rates until it was absolutely necessary, and it has come to that point," Trustee Steve Adams said. "The 1 percent increase in seven years was probably fiscally irresponsible on our part. Now we have to try and do it in two years to catch up."

Adams said the water and sanitation fund finances capital expenditures like projects and equipment, which are expected to cost about $1 million over the next decade.