Cape Girardeau prepares for water cap vote on August 5

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Voters in Cape Girardeau will soon decide whether to allow the city to increase its water utility rate cap, a move Cape Girardeau mayor Stacy Kinder says is necessary for the future of the city’s water system.

The ballot language on August 5 asks residents if the city can raise the cap on annual utility rate increases from 5% to 15% for the next three years. If passed, the cap would return to a 5% annual increase after that period of time.

“The question on the ballot, of course, is whether the community will allow the city to raise annual rates in utilities by more than 5%,” Mayor Stacy Kinder said. “Right now we have a cap of 5% on any annual raise in our utilities. This question is: will we be allowed to raise it to a 15% cap?”

Kinder said the proposed increase is part of a three phase plan to make major upgrades to the city’s aging water infrastructure.

“Our whole system has been analyzed from tip to tail, pumps, wells, boosters, and more,” she said. “All of those things have crucial problems that are impacting both the quality and quantity of the water we can produce.”

According to Kinder, the rate increase would fund a 10-year financial plan looking at boosting water production and improving supply during peak usage periods, especially during the summer.

“These are massive improvements that need to be made,” she said. “The current 5% cap in the city charter is preventing us from managing the utility adequately. It’s hindering our ability to make the upgrades we know are necessary.”

For residents wondering how the increase might affect their monthly bills, Kinder suggests checking the itemized water portion of their utility bill.

Kinder discusses that raising rates is never easy, especially with inflation and high prices, but mentions the improvements are vital for the city’s future.

“We believe this vote will set up our city in really great ways, both now and well into the future, ensuring we have a solid water system that delivers clean, quality water and enough of it during the hottest months.”

Voting takes place on August 5.