Mary Horne walked into Trenton’s City Council meeting on Tuesday with one thing on her mind: to learn how much her water bill would increase.
Horne, a lifelong resident, said she was concerned about a proposed water rate increase and how it would impact low-income seniors in Trenton.
“I am a senior myself, so I advocate for different things that affect us in the city,” said Horne, who is in her 70s.
The council on Tuesday introduced an ordinance authorizing Trenton Water Works, the city’s municipal water utility, to potentially increase its water rates for the first time since 2009.
The second and final reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 5:30 p.m., City Hall, at 319 E. State St.
The utility is seeking a rate increase because it says it needs more money to fund its $763 million capital improvement plan for 2024-2033 and to cover salary increases.
Currently, the utility’s water consumption rate is $2.11 for every 748 gallons consumed, but that rate would increase to $2.22.
A typical utility customer pays a quarterly water bill of $109.84 while high water users pay quarterly bills of $133.15, according to Michael Walker, the utility’s chief of communications and public outreach.
Under the proposal, water bills for typical customers would increase by $5.28 per quarter, while those for higher water users would increase by $11.71 per quarter.
According to Walker, the water works supplies an average of 27 million gallons of water to more than 217,000 residents in Trenton and parts of Hamilton, Ewing, Lawrence and Hopewell townships.
Walker said that if the council adopts the ordinance approving the rate increase, the utility anticipates the new rates will take effect on July 1.
Before introducing the ordinance on Tuesday, the council heard a presentation from Peiffer Brandt, CEO of the financial and management consulting firm Raftelis, which specializes in helping local governments and public utilities improve their operations, finances, and strategic planning.
Brandt first presented the utility’s proposed rate hike during a council meeting on June 17, but members raised concerns about how an increase would affect low-income residents.
Returning to the council on Tuesday with revised numbers, Brandt emphasized that the utility hasn’t increased its water rates in over a decade, but across the country, water rates have risen by about 5% per year.
“Expenses need to go up in order to do these capital improvements, many of which are required by the state,” Brandt said. “So it’s just not an option to do these things and have no rate increases.”
At the same time, Brandt said the utility also needs to raise salaries for some workers to attract and retain staff.
One of the utility’s projects includes replacing 20,000 lead service lines across Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing and Lawrence for $175 million, according to a statement from the utility.
After Brandt’s presentation, council members expressed approval for the utility’s revised rate increase.
“Anytime we have to kick out more money, it can be seen as a hindrance, but sometimes it’s necessary to do,” said Councilwoman Crystal Feliciano, who supports the revised rate increase. “We are in a situation where we have to generate something so that we can look to maintain Trenton Water Works.
“When we look at this across the board, the increase is minimal at best, but necessary,” she said.
After the meeting, Horne expressed relief.
“My first calculation would have put it at $11 to $13 monthly increase,” she said. “I came in here with a full head of steam, but now I want to thank the council, Trenton Water Works, and everyone who was involved with the amendment.”
For more information, visit the utility’s webpage or call 609-989-3208.
