Sewer rates for Bath Electric Gas and Water Systems customers could be going up for the first time since 1992.
Bath village trustees gave tentative approval this week to raising the village-owned utility’s sewer rates 15 percent.
The increase is needed to offset a deficit of about $200,000 in the BEGWS sewer budget at the close of the utility’s fiscal year, BEGWS officials told trustees.
The deficit is a result of the consistently below-average rates charged by other village utilities, according to the BEGWS report.
Current monthly rates for Bath customers range from $10.13 to $23.80, depending on usage and location.
Hauler fees would increase $.05 per gallon, according to the trustees’ proposal.
In Wellsville, rates range from $13.70 to $30.85; Penn Yan charges $34.50 to $73.75; and Watkins Glen customers pay between $29.56 and $90.53.
“My only question is, why did we wait so long?” Trustee Donna Simonson said, after learning sewer rates had not changed in 18 years. “This is absolutely ridiculous.”
Trustee Mike Skelly said the rates should be reviewed each year, to see if the increases close the deficit. Once the gap has been closed, Skelly said rate increases should be regularly scheduled to keep up with costs.
The board will hold a public hearing April 5 on the proposed new rates, and could approve the increase the same evening. The hike may become effective during the first quarter, officials said.
