As a significant project in Jefferson winds down, so do some financial contributions from residents.

City Administrator Scott Peterson says about three years ago, the City Council approved a sewer rate increase schedule to help pay for the expenses with renovating the Wastewater Treatment Plant, because it no longer was compliant with the new discharge regulations from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He points out that ahead of when the fourth year of the five year schedule started on the new fiscal year this past July 1st, the city wanted to do a financial analysis of the payments and see if the appropriate rates were still on track.

“Which we did have that study done, found out that based upon the proposed increases that they could be lowered a little bit and still be able to meet our revenue requirements. So, what had been proposed to be a 15 percent increase in July of ‘25 and ‘26 has now been changed so it’ll be a ten percent increase in July of ‘25 and July of ‘26.”

Peterson expresses to the public that the city hears from its citizens and this was one way they could help lessen the burden on taxpayers.

“And I just want the public to feel assured that although the rates have gone up significantly, they are going up really for a true purpose, and they’re being watched. That it does no harm to periodically really take a look, do that study, and in this case, it’s our financial advisor running those numbers for us.” 

Peterson adds that the new rate of ten percent increase on sewer rates went into effect at the beginning of this fiscal year, but residents will not see the new rate until September 1st on their billing statement.