Sanitation District No. 1 (SD1) is currently accepting public comments on a proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017.
The draft budget includes a 5 percent increase in the sanitary sewer service fees charged to customers for FY 2017.
If approved, residential customers would see an average monthly increase of $2.10, or $0.35 per hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water usage, on their SD1 bills for sanitary sewer service. The rate adjustment would be reflected on customer bills beginning in August 2016.
The budget approval process for SD1 occurs over a couple of months, but the budget planning and evaluation is ongoing. The SD1 Board of Directors makes policy decisions throughout the year that affect the budget as well as the level of service SD1 can offer its customers based on the available funds.
“SD1 carefully evaluates and works to balance the needs of our customers and our region when determining rates,” said Mark Wurschmidt, SD1’s interim executive director. “We are mindful of our customers’ interest in efficient services, and we constantly strive to get the most out of their dollars as we work to protect public health, property and the environment while supporting the region’s economic vitality.”
SD1’s sanitary sewer service fee for FY 2016 was $7.02 for every HCF, or 748 gallons, of water used. The 5 percent increase SD1 is proposing would result in an FY 2017 sanitary sewer service fee of $7.37 per HCF.
Under the proposed budget, SD1’s storm water fee would remain at the current $5.04 per month in the coming FY 2017.
In an effort to ensure customers have equal access to rate and budget information, SD1 has posted budget documents and information on the proposed rate change here . SD1 invites customers to share their comments on the proposed budget.
Customers may submit their written comments:
• By email to info@sd1.org. Please include “Budget Comments” in the subject line.
• In person at the main office at 1045 Eaton Drive in Ft. Wright during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• By mail to Valerie Forsyth, SD1, 1045 Eaton Drive, Ft. Wright, KY, 41017.
Comment forms are available online here , in SD1’s main office lobby and at all library branch locations in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. All comments must be received by May 18, 2016, the close of the public comment period.
Following the public comment period, the SD1 Board of Directors and the judges-executive for Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties will review and consider all public comments before finalizing the budget.
As the wastewater and storm water utility for Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties, SD1 is responsible for the collection and treatment of the community’s wastewater and the management of the community’s storm water. In carrying out these responsibilities, SD1 must continuously invest in the public sewer system to protect the health of its customers and the environment.
“SD1’s mission is to provide safe and reliable wastewater and storm water services to our customers,” Wurschmidt said. “To carry out this mission, we must adjust rates to pay for the maintenance of aging sewer pipes in the Northern Kentucky region.”
SD1 is responsible for the collection and treatment of Northern Kentucky’s wastewater, as well as regional storm water management. SD1 is the second largest public sewer utility in Kentucky, serving more than 290,000 residents throughout Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties.
SD1
Where is all the money going! We spend more to get rid of the water than we do to get it! Somethings not right!
Paying the EPA fine would have been less expensive over the long haul. Not sure what SD1 is thinking.
It is time to flush Sanitation District #1.