NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - Rate increase hearing 9.25.24
September 09, 2024
Hello Coolin Sewer Members,
Below you will find a copy of the public hearing notice to be advertised in The Bonner County Daily Bee on 9/11 & 9/18. Please visit the District Reports tab on our website to view the Wastewater User Rate Study - Technical Memorandum as well as two possible rate increase phasing options. Keep in mind that Figure 1: Sewer Rate Model is only an example of what the District could follow for user fee rates. The figures in this study have not been approved for implementation as of the date of this posting.
Key reasons for increase:
- Be proactive in system maintenance & asset replacements (see asset list and life expectancy of each item in User Rate Study TM). Replace asset items on schedule vs being reactive and having an emergency with increased costs. The District is already behind on replacing some items (i.e. original pipe placed into service in 1972, with a 50-year life expectancy).
- Set aside 10% annually into reserves for long-term asset replacement.
- Fully fund short-lived asset replacement.
- Fees have not been increased appropriately in previous years.
- Hire an additional operator. Extensive on-the-job training (approx. 2,000 hours) is required to obtain licensure.
- ID Dept. of Lands (IDL) lease renewal expected to triple. Current lease is approximately $16,000 annually. Lease expires 12.31.26. (This is for the land where the lagoon is located. About 2 miles south of the District shop on E River Rd).
- ID Dept. of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) irrigation permit changes are expected upon renewal in 2030. IDEQ intends to change the weather station used by the District for data. The result will cause a reduction in irrigation limits of approximately 50%. The District will need to increase the amount of leased land to maintain proper irrigation allowances.
- Fully fund annual operations costs. (i.e. provide living wages & benefits to District employees.)
- Inflation
- To avoid another LID & District indebtedness
The Board of Directors are working diligently to investigate ALL available options for revenue. However, no option outside of User Fees can happen without substantial research and implementation planning.
The District appreciates any constructive comments, ideas and support we've received during this season of growth and change.
Thank you,
Coolin Sewer District Board of Directors & Employees
PUBLIC NOTICE – RATE INCREASE HEARING
COOLIN SEWER DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Coolin Sewer District:
DATE: September 25, 2024, at 4:00pm
LOCATION: Inn at Priest Lake - 5310 Dickensheet Road, Coolin, ID 83821
The purpose of this hearing is to inform and receive comments from citizens to consider a rate increase for user fees exceeding five percent (5%) of the amount of fees last collected. Visit www.coolinsewerdistrict.com to provide written comments (Resources tab), or to view the User Rate Study (District Documents tab > District Reports).
