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After not increasing sewer rates in nearly two decades, area residents are likely feeling the difference as July’s water bill reflects a 3% increase as required by Phase 3 of a four-year planned water rate increase as voted by the Hope Town Council in June 2023 in an effort to keep up with inflation and increasing community needs.

Sewer rates in the Hope community hadn’t changed in 17 years, says Jason Eckart, Hope Town Manager.  

Nearly two decades with no increase has put Hope in a bit of a financial bind, Eckart explains. Aging infrastructure is in serious need of repair and that requires funds.

“So, what the Town Council decided in June 2023 was that we needed to rip the proverbial Band-Aid off and get ourselves back in line with where we need to be to make our utility rates something that isn’t losing us money,” Eckart says.

Aging infrastructure, loan repayment and increasing community needs all require increasing amounts of funding. Suffice to say, Hope's water rates have to match the times, Eckart says. 

Revenue from increases thus far implemented have already been put to use in making progress with infrastructure repairs, Eckart says.

Last summer, the town spent $25,000 to preplace five aging fire hydrants.

Each hydrant, including labor and equipment, cost $5,000, Eckart says.

The hydrants that were replaced were original from the 1940s.

An 80-year-old fire hydrant, though functional, isn’t dependable, Eckart says.

And there are more hydrants that need replaced. 

Not too far on the horizon, the town’s water tower will also need repainted both inside and out, which is a huge undertaking that will cost an estimated $250,000.

Additional anticipated town costs include upgrades to the utility system, including marking all water mains, meters and pits with GIS (Geographic Information System) to make for easy identification and location marking for maintenance and repair, especially in the case of an emergency, as well as paying town employees, Eckart explains.

The fourth and final 3% water rate increase will go into effect in June 2026.

At that point, water rates should stabilize and the issue will be reexamined by the Town Council, Eckart says.

Though the public has expressed displeasure over the rate increase, there were multiple public meetings held about the issue and each was sparsely attended, if at all, Eckart adds.

“The town council wants residents to come to the meetings,” Eckart says. “If they have a problem with something, talk to the council or talk to me.”

Eckart adds that individual meetings with a council member or two can be arranged; however, requesting that more than two members be present would constitute a council meeting and requires a special session.     

“We are as open about the town as we can be,” Eckart says. “We appreciate people’s input.”