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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />Arden Hills Council <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />April 26, 1993 <br /> <br />PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> <br />Lucia Miklas, 1696 Chatham Avenue, voiced her concern about <br />the recent utility bill increases, which raised her bill by <br />25%. She stated that she had received the notice of the <br />impending increase, but did not believe it would affect her. <br /> <br />Miklas asked what constitutes the increase, and if the City <br />is looking at the financial management of the fund. <br />Councilmember Malone responded saying that, as liaison to <br />the Finance Committee, he is aware that the fund is being <br />watched closely. <br /> <br />Malone explained that the City pays the MWCC for sewer <br />service on a per gallon basis, and that amount has raised <br />from $385,000 in 1990, to $449,000 in 1991, to $518,000 in <br />1992, and is expected to be $546,000 in 1993. He added that <br />such an increase is substantial and must be passed on to the <br />customer. <br /> <br />Malone reported that the City's sewer fund has been "in the <br />red" for two years because the City has been charging less <br />than what is needed to balance the fund. He said the fund's <br />cash balance has been providing subsidy, but now that cash <br />balance has dropped to a point where it can no longer <br />provide that subsidy. <br /> <br />Miklas asked why the MWCC has such significant increases. <br />Malone said he can't speak to that matter directly, but <br />knows that there are substantial pollution control measures <br />the MWCC must undertake. City Accountant Post added that <br />the MWCC has also expanded their plant and operations and <br />opened new interceptors, and those capital costs are being <br />spread amongst the user base. <br /> <br />Miklas asked why the City does not charge a per gallon rate. <br />Malone said that matter has been discussed, but such action <br />would require a means of measuring/metering sewer use and it <br />would be difficult to administer. He said contribution to <br />sewer outflow oftentimes is in direct correlation with water <br />use, but that is not so in instances where a large volume of <br />water is used for lawn sprinkling or pools, etc. He stated <br />that large commercial users are charged on the basis of <br />volume and content of sewage. <br /> <br />Miklas said her main objection is that, as a single person <br />in her household, she is charged the same as a large family <br />would be charged. She added that she has experienced <br />mismanagement and waste in government, and is concerned that <br />