Politics & Government

Ramsey Water, Sewer Rates Going Up 3%

Increase will help cover rising costs of water contracts and employee health benefits, officials say

Ramsey residents can once again expect to see a slight jump in their water and sewer bills this year, according to borough officials. The minimum charge and usage rates for both utilities are expected to go up by 3% each this year, Borough Administrator Bruce Vozeh told Patch Thursday.

According to Vozeh, the borough’s Board of Public Works recommended the increase, which he said will help cover rising costs, like employee healthcare and water purchase rates. Ramsey uses a mixture of its own wells and water purchased from United Water.

The BPW recommendations need to be approved by the borough council before they go into effect. The sewer rate increase, which is done by resolution, was approved by the council at a meeting last week.

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The council also introduced an ordinance to increase the water rate at its last meeting, and is expected to vote on the increase at a meeting next week.

The across-the-board 3% increase is a “more normal,” increase than rate hikes in recent years, Vozeh said. “Last year, the [water and sewer rate hike] was in the 10 or 12% range,” he said.

Find out what's happening in Ramseywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Once the increases are approved, Ramsey residents should expect to see the change reflected in their water and sewer bills this year, officials said.

Submit your questions or news tips to jessica.mazzola@patch.com. And, remember to sign up for Ramsey Patch's daily newsletter, and get updates on Facebook and Twitter.


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