Cape Girardeau to hold special election for sewer, and water rates in August

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Voters in Cape Girardeau will soon decide whether to allow the city to raise its water and sewer rate cap from 5% to 15% to help fund pivotal water system improvements.

Casey Brunke, the city of Cape Girardeau’s public works director, says the vote, which is set for August 5 would give the city more flexibility to maintain and repair its water treatment system. To help avoid any future issues, where the system can struggle to keep up in the summer time.

“We’re asking the voters to increase that up to 15%,” Brunke says. “Most cities do not have a cap and just increase their rates as necessary to operate and maintain their systems.”

Brunke says that the city hasn’t always used the full 5% annual increase. “Over the years, it’s been anywhere between zero and five percent,” she says. Even if the new cap is approved, any rate increase would still need to be approved by the city council as part of the annual budget process.

Brunke says the additional funding is needed to expand the Cape Rock Water Treatment Plant. The city recently spent $9 million on improvements but says more investment is needed to keep up with growth and maintain the necessary service.

“If your household uses 5,000 gallons of water a month, which is the national average, your bill would go up about $4.71 per month with a 15% increase,” Brunke says. “But most of our households don’t use that much, so the actual increase would likely be less.”

The vote is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5.

For more information, visit the city’s website, here.