Eric Bartkus Lowell City Council

-USDA loan requirements to finance the $3.3M Washington street rebuild and capital improvements for the entire system are pushing water/sewer rates higher

-this does not include the proposed I96 exit development work

-current proposal from consultant:

1)increase water connection fee and rates by 9.66%yearly for six years

2)increase sewer connection fee and rates by 9.66% yearly for three years, then 4% for two years

-I received the capital improvement list and rate increase suggestions 15 days ago and was away the first week, so am working hard to understand

-for comparison, Mike Burns summarized current quarterly bills with 12500 gallons usage:

Lowell $261, Peck 436, Grand Ledge 413, Portland 307, St. Johns 277, Rockford 270, Cascade 265, Allegan 261, Fenton 253, Lowell Twp 244, Owosso 241, Wayland 223, Hastings 222, GR Twp 213, Walker 206, Ionia 186 (charges REU), Grand Rapids 170, Kentwood 146, Wyoming 93, Dewitt 89

We aren’t the lowest nor the highest. The lowest cities all buy water from the large GR system. From what I have been told, rates should have been raised more in previous years. We likely need to raise, but the 77% increase in six years is difficult for residents.

-please call me at 616 240 0227 to discuss before Monday night’s vote.