Recommendations for utility increases heard in Benson

BENSON -- The Benson City Council heard, but did not take action on proposed increases in the city's utility rates at the regular meeting Monday evening.

The rates, if approved, would take effect on Jan. 1, according to city manager Rob Wolfington. City staff has been reviewing water, wastewater and electric rates and recommended the increases, which would include water, sewer, electric, garbage and taxes. An average user would see a 5.2 percent increase in utility cost, an average high-rate user would have a 9.2 percent increase and a business, such as a convenience store, would see a 2.2 percent increase. Most of the cost increase is for water, as the city has adopted conservation rates required by state statute, Wolfington said.

In other action, the council set the application fee for permits to operate golf carts and mini-trucks at $25 per vehicle. The council also approved a planned power outage for 2 a.m. Saturday morning. The 10-minute outage will allow the city electric utility to test the generators and switchgear interface at the city's new power substation, Wolfington said. An outage is required to test the equipment.