Sewer and water rates could be going up in Decorah

Decorah City Hall staff are recommending another increase in water and sewer rates in 2019.

The city has been raising utility rates on an annual basis since 2012 because it had been operating at a loss overall for sewer and water.  The city's sewer fund has been positive for a couple of years, but the water fund will end the 2018-2019 fiscal year still nearly $30,000 in the red.

The Decorah City Council is being urged to approve 1.95 percent rate increases for both water and sewer service.  Projections are that if the increases are approved, the water fund would end the 2019-2020 fiscal year with a $126,828 surplus, while the sewer fund would have a $208,766 surplus.  The surpluses would then act as an emergency fund to help pay any unexpected costs.