Hartland Township Sewer Rate Increases Moderate But Continue

More than 1,400 customers of Hartland Township's sewer system will be paying 2 percent more per quarter — a change officials welcome after more than three years of rate hikes at 4-5 percent.

In the short term, that means the most common user, one that doesn't have a meter with a grinder pump, will pay about $3 more in the next quarter from about $159 to $162, according to the release. The new rates are based on a five-year rate study the Township Board reviewed in early December and customers will see the newest increase reflected on the bill they receive in April.

But while rates are stabilizing to help the township repair a long-term deficit, the planned frequent increases still mean customers' bills will be between about $230 and $360 higher by 2017 — a change of between 40 percent and more than 70 percent. A breakdown:

Hartland Township Manager James Wickman said the planned increases will be revisited each year, but unless projections change, customers should still expect the steady increases.

The ongoing rate changes, he said, are to bring revenue in line with costs after there were no increases in the system for more than 20 years and after the township had to connect its system to Genesee County after its original system failed to meet state standards.

“In 2008, our auditors told us the rates needed to be increased by 95 percent immediately. We worked diligently to put a plan into place that would be easier for our families and businesses to afford over time. Now we are glad to see that the sewer operating fund will be out of its deficit by 2017, through smaller increases,” said Township Supervisor Bill Fountain in a news release.

Wickman also said even after 2017, customers should expect routine rate adjustments in order to keep the sewer fund healthy. He noted that the township's rates remain about the same as neighboring Brighton and Tyrone townships.

"I don't think Hartland will ever not be doing some kind of adjustment," he said.

Metered customers, who also are on the township's water system, face the largest increase, but Wickman said that will vary based on how much the customer uses. The projection was made upon an estimate of what a typical household would pay for 18,900 gallons per quarter.

"It's going to depend how much flow they have," he said.

More information

PDFs of township news release on the changes and a FAQ are included here.

Officials also encourage residents to look for more information on the township website.