Water rate hike planned for 2023 for LH, Suburban water systems

PublisherMay 2, 2022Last Updated: May 2, 2022

1 minute read

By Scott Johnson

LOCK HAVEN, PA – In order to pay for needed improvements to the Lock Haven and Suburban water systems, a rate hike is being proposed for 2023. The first such rate hike in 11 years.

City Manager Greg Wilson told City Council at its meeting Monday night the hike is needed for a $27 million improvement project to the systems that serve 3,247 units on the city’s system and 3,322 units on the suburban system.

He noted 69 percent of the units are residential properties, 13 percent are industrial properties and 10 percent are commercial properties.

Wilson added that general inflation has grown by 28 percent in the last 11 years while rates for the two systems have held stagnant.

“During the last 11 years, we have been spending its fund balance,” he said. “The fund balance has gone down to a level of discussion about raising rates.”

Wilson wanted to let the public know plenty in advance of further discussions on the planned rate increases. He said council will discuss the planned increases at council’s meetings on May 16, June 6 and June 20.
“I think it’s the right approach to hear about this ahead of time,” Mayor Joel Long said. “We are actually blessed to have the water that we do.”

In another matter at Monday night’s meeting, council noted officials will gather Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at Main Street Grill to officially announce the 2022 Lock Haven Summer Concert Series. “I think we have a nice series this year,” Long said.

Wilson also noted the city was granted a $5 million, 1 percent PennVEST loan for Phase One work to the Ohl Dam project. “It’s a very good sign the projects are moving forward,” he said.

Council also announced banners that will be hung across East Main Street in the coming months.

Banners will be erected from May 5-14 for the Relay For Life and Sept. 1-18 for the Ross Library.The Lock Haven YMCA will use Hoberman Park on June 3 and Highway Safety Network geocaches will be installed in Hanna Park, Memorial Park and Station Gallery grounds.