Hoping to lessen the impact of a new sewer surcharge that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023, the Isabel Board of Trustees voted last week to increase the fee quarterly over the next year.
The surcharge, which will eventually cost sewer system users in Isabel $27.90 per month or an additional $334.80 per year, will be used to pay off a state loan that is part of the financing for the town’s $2.1 million sewer replacement project.
Isabel was appropriated a South Dakota Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan of $828,204 that required the surcharge on debt.
Town officials expressed concern that implementing the $27.90 per month surcharge all at once may cause a financial hardship for Isabel residents and businesses, and opted instead to incrementally increase the fees over the 2023 calendar year to allow users to budget and plan accordingly.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Isabel sewer customers will begin paying a $7 monthly surcharge. The fee will increase to $14 per month in April; $21 per month in July; and $27.90 in October. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, all customers will pay the sewer debt surcharge rate of $27.90 per month until the debt is retired.
In other action, the town board approved the renewal of liquor licenses and a municipal operating agreement for Sparky’s Bar & Grill. The board tabled owner Jolene Maher’s application last month.