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Water, sewer and electrical rates in the Village of L’Anse are going up.
At last night’s council meeting, Village Manager Bob LaFave explained that the increases are needed to keep the utility systems in the black.
The base fees for water and sewer service will each increase by $1.00 per month to keep the systems financially sound. The change is in line with state requirements for utility operation. Sewer customers will also see an additional $2.25 monthly increase to cover the cost of bonds that will be issued to fund a major upcoming project.
The base fee for electrical service will rise by $3.00. That increase will be partially offset by a reduction in cost per kilowatt hour.
That’s less than half the hourly rate charged by UPPCO in the region.
The bond sale for the sewer system will provide matching funds for a significant grant from the federal government. The village is required to provide 25 percent of the cost of a $2 million program that will provide maintenance and upgrades over the next five years. LaFave said the interest rate on the bonds will be 1.25 percent.
In other action, the council appointed Dan Robillard to serve on the Green Hill Manor board. There is an additional vacancy on that board – any village resident interested in serving should bring a letter of interest to the village office. Preliminary meetings have been held in advance of the L’Anse and Baraga Avenues repaving project, which is on track to begin in early July. And, the council approved a request from the Baraga County Beer Fest to hold its annual event in Waterfront Park August 21st. The Beer Fest is a fundraiser for the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce.
