Cape voters to decide on potential water rate hike in Tuesday election

Cape Girardeau city voters will decide in a Tuesday, Aug. 5, election on a ballot issue enabling the City Council to adjust water rates to fund improvements for the water system.

The ballot issue would remove from the city's charter a 5% cap on water rate increases and enable the council to raise rates up to 15% a year.

The ballot language states: "Article VI, Section 6.13 of the Charter of the City of Cape Girardeau generally prohibits the City from increasing water, sewer or solid waste collection fees by more than five (5) percent per fiscal year. Shall this general limitation be amended from five (5) percent to fifteen (15) percent, for the purpose of funding improvements and maintenance needed to deliver these services."

The increase would be used to invest toward $56 million in improvements in the next eight years and $64 million in improvements beyond 2033. The City of Cape Girardeau website states that if the amendment passes, the city plans to increase the water rates by 10% in the first year, 15% in the next two years and then go back down to 5% in the fourth year.


https://www.semissourian.com/news/cape-voters-to-decide-on-potential-water-rate-hike-in-tuesday-election-c315e128