South Milwaukee residents face potential 22% water rate increase
The proposed increase is to fund infrastructure projects, prompting residents to express concerns about the financial impact.
The proposed increase is to fund infrastructure projects, prompting residents to express concerns about the financial impact.
The proposed increase is to fund infrastructure projects, prompting residents to express concerns about the financial impact.
South Milwaukee residents are facing a proposed 22% increase in their water bills as the city seeks to fund infrastructure projects, including replacing lead service lines and a water transmission line.
"It's a pretty big number, twenty-two percent," Jessica Caraos, a South Milwaukee resident, said.
Caraos currently pays approximately $900 annually for water, and if the proposal passes, her bill could rise by nearly $200 a year.
"To have that added on to what we are already paying, it is a lot of money," Caraos said.
The proposed rate increase will be reviewed by the state's Public Service Commission, but residents are concerned about the long-term financial impact.
"I could see it going up maybe 5% a year, but 22% at once," Thomas Krohn said.
Some residents say they hope the rates will go back down after the infrastructure projects are complete.
"Once the problem is resolved, the rates should go back down, and I don't want to see any of the games played I have seen done in other places where they keep the rates elevated," Kurt Nygaard said.
A public hearing where residents can make public comments is set for Tuesday, June 10, at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in Madison.