Homeowners and businesses in Neenah, Wis., will likely pay higher sanitary sewer service and storm water management fees by year's end. The city recently hired McMahon Associates Inc., Neenah, for $15,900 to develop new rates to recover costs and fund improvements.

The city has plans to spend $3.3 million over the next five years to repair its sanitary sewer system and reduce storm water inflow and infiltration. "We no longer have enough money in reserve to pay for the projects that are coming up, so we have to have a rate increase," said Larry Wettering, director of public works and utilities.

The city of Neenah last increased its sanitary sewer rates in 1992. The current charge of $1.30 per 1,000 gal is the state's lowest, according to Wettering. "We have gone almost 16 years at the same rate," said Alderman John Ahles. "It is something that is due. We have used the reserves we had."

The city's storm water management fee averages about $56 per year for a typical residence. Since it was implemented in January 2003, the fee has yet to be adjusted. In order to keep compliant with Department of Natural Resources regulations, Neenah will invest $2.4 million on storm water improvements over the next five years, Wettering said.

Source: Appleton Post-Crescent