The Town of Victoria will receive the public’s input on a proposal to increase certain utility rates during a hearing scheduled for next week as part of the town’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2017-18 operating budget.

The meeting will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Victoria Town Office at 1809 Main St.

The proposed utility rates, according to a notice from the town, would increase the monthly sewer rate by $1 for any use that exceeds the set amount of gallons allotted for residents and businesses in and outside of Victoria.

The set sewer charge is $15.50 per month for families and businesses in and outside of the town who use a set amount of 3,000 gallons. If this rate is exceeded, the additional cost per 1,000 gallons used would be $6.54 per 1,000 gallons used, a $1 increase from the previous $5.54 rate adopted last year.

For industrial, educational and certain commercial users in and out of town, the charge of exceeding 10,000 gallons would rise to $3.83, a $1

increase, per 1,000 gallons used. The set rate is $28.33 each billing cycle.

According to Town Manager Rodney Newton, the rates would not increase for the minimum charge for utility services, but would only exceed $1 for every 1,000 gallons used in excess of the 3,000 or 10,000 gallons used by residential, commercial and educational facilities.

“Water rates are not increasing nor is the minimum charge for utility services provided by the town,” Newton said in an email. “The cost for use of sewer over the 3,000 gallon minimum will go up $1.00 per thousand gallons used.” 

He said that revenue generated by the increase would maintain the town’s water treatment facilities.

“Funds generated from this are budgeted for operations and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facilities,” Newton said.

The water rate proposal differs from last year’s adopted water rate, which increased the minimum usage rate for those in and outside of the town by $2.

Other items in the FY 2017-18 proposed budget that differ from this year’s budget is sales tax revenue increasing to $32,000 from $31,835; revenue from interest on checking lowering to $1,100 from $1,200; law enforcement funds increasing to $45,688 from $44,679; business license revenue rising to $31,350 from $31,240 and meals tax revenue lowering to $61,875 from $63,700.

For more information on the proposed budget, visit www.victoriava.net or call (434) 696-2343.