Somerton residents to see water, sewer rate hikes in November

SOMERTON — Water and sewer rates will go up in the city starting in November, following approval of the utility hikes this week by the city council.

The council's decision leaves in the place the current water rate of $12.54 for the first 5,000 gallons used, but increases the rate for every 1,000 gallons thereafter from $2.18 to $2.39.

The monthly sewer rate will increase from $34.79 to $36.50, for both apartment complexes and multifamily residential developments.

The increases had been recommended by a city consultant, Dan Jackson, who said the adjustments were needed to cover soaring costs to the city of providing utilities in recent years.

The council left unchanged its trash collection rate.

“We need to find a way to halt these trends” of rising utility rates, Mayor Martin Porchas said. “If not, it's going to be a never-ending story, and the most affected are the residents of the city.”

Council members directed administration to seek new measures to hold down future increases.