MVWA To Hold Hearing On Proposed Rate Hike

Mohawk Valley Water Authority customers could be seeing an increase in their water bills next year.

The MVWA will be holding a public hearing on Monday, October 23rd on a proposed 3.75 percent rate hike.

The hearing will take place at 5:00 in the Utica Common Council Chambers, right before the Authority's monthly meeting.

If approved, the increase would mean an additional $14 a year for the average household, or about $1.17 a month.

MVWA Executive Director Pat Becher says the some of the reasons for the increase include an overall increase in operating costs of four-percent and increases in payroll and health insurance costs.

The Authority's proposed budget totals about $24.5 million.  If approved, the rate hike would take effect on January 1, 2018.