Water rates in the Village of Northport will increase by 20% starting this month based on recommendations from a recent water rate study that the Northport Village Council unanimously approved at its Oct. 10 regular meeting.
In addition, the council approved an increase to the water fund revenue budget by $19,000, an increase to the water fund capital expense budget by $12,000, an increase to the water fund balance by $7,000, and authorized the village manager to enter into a contract for the replacement of the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system for an amount not to exceed $12,000.
In September, the council heard a presentation from Dawn Lund of Utility Financial Services, LLC, regarding the water rate and cost of service study. In the presentation, Lund also talked about a rate design that proposed rate increases of 20% per year beginning in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, as well as helped to determine recommendations regarding the appropriate levels of cash reserves and fund balance needed to continue operating. The projected annual revenue increase of the increase in rates is $18,742.16.
