EGF council mulls over storm and sewer rates

East Grand Forks residents could see a nine dollar increase in storm water and sanitary sewer rates in the near future.  The city council is considering the rate bump to help pay maintenance bills for aging infrastructure.

Under the plan five dollars would target the sewer fund and four dollars for storm water projects.  A four dollar increase is the equivalent of a two-percent levy hike on property taxes.  A portion of the funds would also pay for street reconstruction when the roadway is removed to repair the sewers below.

Mayor Steve Gander says the fee structure is not designed to pay for general street reconstruction.

The council will take a deeper dive into the benefits of applying the fee on water bills vs property taxes at a future meeting.