The City of St. Joseph plans to hold a public hearing to consider the results of a study recommending an increase in sewer rates.

The city released a draft sewer rate study that examines the cost of service and revenue requirements for 2017. The study recommends an overall increase in city sewer charges of an average 15 percent. Rates for residential customers would go up 15.5 percent under the proposal. Rates for most commercial and industrial customers would go to 16.6 percent, while secondary wholesale treatment customers would receive facility specific increases averaging to 9.3 percent.

The city said the 15 percent overall increase is consistent with the commitment City Council made last year regarding the anticipated increase in fiscal year 2017. The increases are proposed to go into effect on August 1, following review and consideration by City Council.

The rate study also projects rate increases needed for subsequent years following fiscal year 2017. The city said the level of required increases is projected to be less. It said the report also confirms that the city has made good progress on the issue of reducing bad debt expense, while acknowledging that it is still a contributor to rate increases.

A public hearing and work session to consider the results of this rate study will be held in early June. It said a date for that meeting will be announced in the near future.

Comments regarding the proposed rates can be directed to Bill Heatherman, director of Public Works & Transportation at [email protected] and for more information the city said to call (816) 271-4653.