The City of Petersburg has finalized an 85% water rate increase, according to the Petersburg Press Dispatch. The move was finalized by a 4-0 vote last Monday night following a public hearing. 10 people were at the meeting, and some spoke out against the proposal saying it would be a shock to those on fixed incomes. When asked if the city could secure more grant funding, Petersburg mayor R.C. Klipsch said the city could not receive grants for the project from OCRA or Rural Development due to current water rates being lower than the national average.
The rate increase was introduced to help fund the over $18 million in water infrastructure improvements, which includes construction a new 750,000-gallon water tower on Half-Mile Hill. The current water plant in Petersburg was built in 1932 and is the second oldest in the state. Mayor Klipsch noted the improvements are needed to keep things running in addition to economic development. It was said that multiple companies have been looking at Petersburg but require more water than the current plant can handle. Klipsch says the new rates will likely be reflected on the June statement.
