(KLZA)-- A special meeting of the Falls City Council was conducted Monday evening during which John Krajewski, with JK Energy Consulting presented a draft of the 2022 utility rate design study for the Falls City Utility Departments.

Krajewski said Falls City has developed a good program of doing a rate study every three years allowing utility rates to increase some each year, instead of having to do like some communities and have a single large increase in utility costs all in one year.

Krajewski, who has been doing the Falls City Utility rate studies for several three-year cycles now outlined a plan calling for an increase in rates for customers over the three year period 2023- 2025.

The anticipated utility bill increase for customers utilizing all four services provided by the City of Falls City is projected at $9.77 per month beginning in October 2022; $9.92 per month beginning in October 2023 and an additional $8.50 per month beginning in October, 2024.

The largest increase would be in waste water which will increase approximately 15 percent over the three-year period but would be an increase of only about $2 per month. Electricity would increase approximately 14 percent during the period. Water rates would increase approximately 11.3 percent over three years with natural gas going up approximately 4.8 percent for the period.

Krajewski said that current inflation rates are having an effect on utilities, just like everything else.

The rate increases will also help the City pay for a portion of the electrical upgrades planned for the community in the coming years.

The next step is for the plan to go the the Falls City Board of Public Works for their approval in July. Then to the Council for action in August. If approved, the new rates would go into effect in October of this year.