Plum homeowners should not expect to see their real estate tax rates go up next year, but their water and sewage bills will increase slightly.
Letters were to be sent out this month to Plum Borough Municipal Authority customers informing them of the rate hike, which will be reflected in January bills.
The minimum monthly charge for sewage will increase about 3%, from $32.20 to $34.
The water rates are going up about 11%, from $18 to $20.
Plum Borough Municipal Authority Manager Howard Theis said the change equates to residential customers paying about an additional $45 a year combined.
Commercial customers will see their rates increase by the same percentages, depending on the size of the water meter.
It is the first rate hike since 2018.
Theis said the plan is to generate more revenue to help fund about $3.1 million worth of upgrades within the next three years.
“There are some improvements that we’re doing within the system,” Theis said.
Other reasons for the rate hike include wage increases for the authority’s 24 employees, recouping losses from the covid pandemic and the increasing cost of chemicals and other supplies needed for operations.
Theis said his authority’s rates are still the lowest compared to surrounding communities, even with the rate hike.
The Plum Borough Municipal Authority continues to address repairs needed from the July 2019 storms.
Spending includes $80,000 for a flood gate door and $40,000 to raise a generator from ground level at the Holiday Park treatment plant. Both of those projects are in the works.
Other endeavors include bursting and lining sewage pipes in the Logans Ferry neighborhood to reduce infiltration issues at an estimated cost of $300,000.
Waterline replacement projects along Sardis and New Texas roads are also being designed.
Theis said he hopes to award some projects in March and to see some construction work once the weather breaks.
A copy of the authority’s full rate schedule can be viewed at plumboroughma.com.
