Chesterfield proposes utility fee increases

As part of its proposed fiscal 2010 budget, Chesterfield County's Utilities Department is recommending fee increases for water and sewer service.

The proposal comes in response to an analysis of the budget and 10-year projections that show current revenue, without fee increases, will not be sufficient to cover the department's operating expenses.

To correct that, across-the-board increases have been brought to the Board of Supervisors for consideration this month. If approved, the average homeowner in the county would see a $6 increase on their bimonthly bill. The average bill is $88.

The increase would come in the form of a $5 increase in the water and wastewater base charges for a typical residential-size meter; that increase is expected to generate an additional $3.23 million a year. A wastewater commodity charge would increase by 6 cents per 100 cubic feet, generating an additional $720,000 in annual revenue.

In addition, the department would raise connection fees for an average residential-size meter from $3,970 to $4,025 for water and from $2,725 to $3,140 for wastewater. That could generate an additional $805,000 annually to assist with capital expansion projects in the next decade.

"It's just ridiculous. I personally think Chesterfield County needs to look at rolling some of these fees back," said developer George Emerson, noting that anything added to the cost of a new home should be avoided now.

"Chesterfield needs to be proactive in this recession," he said. "Growth isn't slowing, it has come to a halt. A lot of that is due to the recession, but it's all about affordability."

Jeff Franklin of the Utilities Department said the increases are needed to offset operating costs such as electricity, chemicals, purchased water and wastewater treatment.

Capital projects also are growing more costly because of new nutrient rules for the Chesapeake Bay, he said.

The Board of Supervisors will hear from the public on the fee increases March 25, the night of the public hearing on the proposed 2010 budget.

Board Chairman A.S. "Art" Warren said he wants to see what the public has to say.

"It is an increase, and we're trying to keep our rates as low as possible," he said, "but the rates are in line or less than most other localities in the area."

In Hanover County, supervisors are considering a $6.42 annual increase in water and sewer fees. Henrico County officials in November reversed an increase in connection fees for water and sewer service.

Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or .