Politics & Government

Water, Sewer Rates to Rise Under Proposed Hartland Township Budget

Public hearing slated for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Township Hall.

Water and sewer rates will rise on starting April 1, under the proposed Hartland Township budget.

The sewer rate increase is 4-5 percent per quarter for the first two quarters and the township will re-evaluate the next step based on how it handles sewer delinquencies and a planned rate study. The water rate will increase 4 percent for the whole year.

In sewer, the ready to service charge for a typical single-family home will increase from $13.26 to $13.39 on April 1 and $13.52 on July 1 while the rate per 1,000 gallons rises from $5.16 to $5.36 on April 1 and $5.58 on July 1.

Find out what's happening in Hartlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

These changes follow a recent trend of slowly catching up the rates with the system's costs and follow more than 20 years of no increases and transferring the system to the Livingston County Drain Commission. Currently, the drain commission charges the township $6.93 per 1,000 gallons.

For water, the ready to service charge for a typical single-family home will increase from $10.61 to $11.03 while the rate per 1,000 gallons will rise from $2.97 to $3.09. Officials say this increase helps the township match rising costs, although more increases could be necessary in the future as the township considers its water master plan to maintain the system.

Find out what's happening in Hartlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A public hearing on township's 2011-12 budget — which include the increases — is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Township Hall, 2655 Clark Rd. A vote is expected. The budget would take effect April 1.

For a copy of the budget, click here. You can find the new rates, by downloading Tuesday's agenda here. For a copy of the current sewer rates, click here. For a copy of the current water rates, click here.

Other highlights of the proposed budget include:

  • A $600,000 general fund surplus would be held in reserve as the township works through solutions to delinquent sewer assessments that are now estimated to force the township to come up with $2 million for cash flow purposes over the next five years.
  • The populuation increase of 33 percent to 14,663 in the 2010 census will mean about $230,000 more in state shared revenue for the township this year.
  • The township still maintains $2 million in its capital improvement fund that it could use for planned projects, such as the creating a township park in partnership with the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association and other property owners.
  • A temporary full-time assistant to the public works director would become a full-time with benefits.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here