In an act of belated transparency, Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works this morning released the results of a contracted study on its newly approved, 10 percent annual water rate increases extending through June of 2022.
The study, prepared by Charlotte-based consulting firm Raftelis, accounts for rising operating expenses for DPW, anticipated debt for work fixing the city’s water infrastructure and revenue projections from Baltimore’s bill payers.
It notes operating expenses for DPW, spent on things like labor, chemicals and contractors, have risen 4.45 percent on average since fiscal 2016, when the city approved the last steep three-year hike for water and sewer rates. It said those operating costs are expected to rise another 2.4 percent in fiscal 2019.
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