City Water Utility Rates Could Increase

You soon could be seeing a slight increase in your St. Pete utility bill if city council approves a rate increase Thursday. 

According to city documents, the city is proposing a 2.75 percent increase for water, wastewater and reclaimed water services. 

According to Mayor Bill Foster, on average, St. Pete residents will see their utility bill increase by $1.36 per month. For customers that use reclaimed water, Foster said that increase would be an additional $.48.

There will be no increases for sanitation and stormwater rates. 

Foster, in a memo to council, said the proposed rate increase is lower than he expected at this point last year.

"Last year at this time, we anticipated a 5 percent overall increase for water, wastewater and reclaimed water. However, several factors helped to reduce the need for a higher rate increase, including: a reduction in anticipated debt service due to a reduced borrowing, a reduction in the estimated need for potable water by Tampa Bay Water in future years, a slight increase in water demand by St. Petersburg and higher reserves at the end of FY11 than anticipated."

If approved, water rate increases would begin on bills sent to customers in November.