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Bonner Springs residents can expect to pay more for their water and sewer needs, but City Council members say it won’t cost more than a two-liter bottle of soda.

The City Council on Monday approved, 7-1, an ordinance to increase water user fees by 5 percent and also approved, 6-2, the raising of sanitary sewer user fees by 6 percent. In the former action, Jerry Jarrett was opposed and in the latter, both Jarrett and Wayne Gray were opposed.

These numbers will amount to an increase in $1.57 on the monthly water bill and $1.72 on the monthly sewer bill per 5,000 gallons of usage.

“It’s not a significant impact,” said city manager John “Jack” Helin. “Obviously every dollar counts, but that’s about the cost of a two-liter bottle of Pepsi these days.”

In a memorandum to the City Council, utilities director Rick Sailler said the recommendation to increase water rates was based on a loss of revenue that had occurred because water rates weren’t adjusted in January. He said that raising both sewer and water rates would help offset rising operating and maintenance costs, such as the estimated $2 million for sewer improvements this year.

“Maintenance costs have increased due to the costs of supplies and electrical costs that we purchase to operate the systems and make the necessary repairs,” Sailler said in a later e-mail.

In deference to those disgruntled residents who may not think the added cost of a two-liter soda is worth seeing on their monthly bills, Sailler explained that making these adjustments is necessary to continue providing the services people have come to expect. When compared with other products such as milk and gasoline, he said, water is still a “fantastic value,” but one that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“Water is the most vital commodity for human existence, and the ability to have this product delivered to our homes just by turning a valve is a luxury that many people in the world do not have,” Sailler said. “The cost to maintain the delivery system is passed along to each and every user.”

The fee increases are expected to generate $151,000 in annual revenue, $100,000 from the water increase and $51,000 from the increase in sewer rates. Both the water and sewer increases will take effect April 1.

In other action, the Council:

• Unanimously approved the minutes of the Feb. 23 City Council meeting.

• Unanimously approved supplement claims for city operations in the amount of $33,811.92 and regular claims in the amount of $817,948.12. The regular claims amount includes payments made on construction to the new library, construction to the soccer field and for the city of Bonner Springs’ insurance renewal.

• Unanimously approved Public Housing Authority claims in the amount of $1,746.54.

• Unanimously approved the application made by Kathy and Miguel Morado, owners of Freseros Mexican Restaurant, for a Cereal Malt Beverage license to allow alcoholic consumption on the premisis.

• Unanimously approved appointments to various Bonner Springs boards and commissions. John Walker was re-appointed to the Library Board and Alan Holder was appointed to the Library Board to fill a vacancy left by Judy Anderson. Both terms are for four years.

Lucy Soptic, Judy Cox and Darrell Donahue were re-appointed to Bonner Beautiful. These terms will expire in April 2012.

David Tisch was re-appointed to the Band Commission.

• Unanimously approved a resolution of support for transportation enhancement funding to go to phase two of the K-32 and Front Street improvements. The resolution of support must be included with the application to receive these funds, which must be postmarked no later than March 18.

• Unanimously approved a funding recommendation from the Drug & Alcohol Advisory Committee in the amount of $20,335 to go to 2009 substance abuse programs.

• Approved, 6-2, the tabling of a request made by Kobi’s Club & Deli for six parking spaces in Centennial Park to the March 23 City Council meeting. Lloyd Mesmer and Jerry Jarrett were both opposed.

• Unanimously approved the purchase of a Case 521E front-end loader from Victor L. Philips Company in the amount of $87,943.79.

• Unanimously approved a final construction change order in the amount of $2,482 for the Riverview Crossings public improvements project. The council also unanimously approved both final payment on the project and the motion to accept it.

• Unanimously approved a motion to award the bid for the Fire / EMS radio tower to Preferred Tank & Tower in the amount of $17,500.

• Unanimously approved an increase from $800 to $880 for a five-eighths-inch meter setter and tap fee and an increase from $1,000 to $1,100 for a one-inch meter setter and tap fee.

• Approved, 7-1, a motion to rescind the simplex grinder pump installation fee of $6,000 and the duplex grinder pump installation fee of $9,900. Wayne Gray was opposed.

• Approved, 7-1 and 6-2, a 10 percent increase in water and sewer impact fees. In the former action, Jarrett was opposed, and in the latter, both Jarrett and Wayne Gray were opposed.

• Unanimously approved a resolution to establish bond authority on the new Fire / EMS facility. The Council also unanimously approved a motion to authorize the project and authorize reimbursement of expenditures.

• Unanimously approved the repair of the southern section of the Bonner Springs Community Center roof in the amount of $14,950. This money will come from the Parks and Recreation fund.

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