Bloomington homeowners to see utility rates increase by $70 a year after council vote

Bloomington homeowners to see utility rates increase by $70 a year after council vote Harrison Klopp KSTP Bloomington to vote on utilities increase Bloomington leaders approved four utility rate increases that will add about $70 a year for the average homeowner. The Bloomington City Council held a public hearing Monday night and unanimously voted to approve the proposed increases. Before the vote, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with residents concerned about the added cost. “By the way, it’s not an accident that the Vikings are playing football today, and they’re hosting this kind of conversation,” Tom Kendall said. “Explain to us why we need the price increase?” Susan Kilby added. City officials said operating costs, aging infrastructure, and rising water treatment costs left Bloomington with no other choice but to raise rates. Deputy Finance Officer Kari Carlson said the city could not maintain the same level of utility service without increasing costs. Under the city’s proposed plan, water rates would rise 3%, stormwater rates 4%, garbage and solid waste rates 4% and wastewater rates 9%. The total increase would add up to roughly $70 a year for the average Bloomington homeowner. “Well, we do have forecasted increases in utilities, and we try to keep them as reasonable as possible, and as we get closer, we always try to refine that and bring it down,” Carlson said. Kendall said he was still hoping another option could be possible as costs rise for residents. “The cost of everything is putting an increased pressure on people, making it harder and harder to make ends meet,” Kendall said.