Residents of Craig, on Prince of Wales Island, will soon pay more for water and sewer services. That’s after the Craig City Council unanimously approved in its final reading a 12% rate increase for both utilities at its Thursday night meeting.
According to a memo from the city’s finance director, Craig’s water and sewer departments have historically run a deficit. The city’s budget committee discussed rate increases this spring to “help close the gap” and bring Craig “closer to a balanced budget.” According to the city, Craig’s sewer and water departments ran a total deficit of $420,684 this fiscal year.
The rate hikes were applied to next fiscal year’s budget, which was also approved by the council on Thursday.
There was no public comment and little council discussion on the utility rate increases during the Thursday meeting. The rate hikes will go into effect July 1.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
