TOLEDO, OHIO -- After weeks of deliberation, and some hesitation, Toledo city council has approved an increase of 9% to water and 3% to sewer rates. The city says the additional rates are necessary to make improvements to a failing infrastructure.
Al Reiser is a retired Korean war veteran living on a fixed income. When he heard about the cities plan to increase the water rates by 9.9% he was worried it'd be more than he could afford. Reiser was relieved to see the lower amount approved by council. “There is a problem there they have to get the money to pay for this in someway we have to more or less approve it,” said Reiser.
Reiser says he understands that the repairs must be made and is okay with the increase even though it means he’ll have to tweak his budget.
The cities Department of Utilities says it understood that asking residents for more money in this economy would be tough. “We have to do that because we have to make sure that the system is reliable and wholesome,” said Director Tom Crothers.
A regular family home that currently pays $164 quarterly will see an increase $186.73, or 14%.
Those with a homestead exception, like Reiser, should expect to see an increase of almost $14.87.
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