POST FALLS - Post Falls water and sewer rates are both proposed to increase 2.5 percent and the street light fee 25 percent.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on multiple fee increase requests tonight at 6.

"The fees being proposed are very modest given the costs for all of the materials and other goods required to provide our services," City Administrator Eric Keck said. "We are merely trying to ensure that we are covering the cost of providing the services in the first place.

"We understand that no one likes a fee increase. They are not being made to pay employees more, but rather ensure that we are selling a service for what it costs and not having to subsidize services through the general fund tax dollar."

For an average residential user with 5,000 gallons of water use, the water fee will increase from $4.70 per month to $4.85, sewer $28.09 to $28.79 and street lights $3 to $3.75.

The garbage fee is also planned to increase 4 percent, per the city's contract with Post Falls Sanitation, raising the rate from $9.61 to $10.

The water connection fee for coming online with the city's system is proposed to rise from $8.85 to $9.07.

The total increase of all the utility and garbage fees mentioned will be $2.21 ($54.25 to $56.46) for the average homeowner.

The new street light fee would be effective Aug. 1, all others Oct. 1.

"The increase in fees for the utilities is being done in order to keep up with the costs that the city has to pay to maintain and operate the water, wastewater and street lights," City Administrator Eric Keck said. "Avista continues to increase electrical and natural gas rates which have an impact upon these utilities. We are merely passing these costs along to the ratepayers."

"We have not met operational costs for street lights for some time and this increase will help offset that."

Staff is working on strategies to limit increased energy costs in the future, said Shelly Enderud, finance director.

Water and sewer capitalization fees proposed to increase 3.92 percent.

"These are being increased by the ENR (Engineering News Record) index which looks at the costs of constructing these types of facilities," Keck said. "It is predicated upon actual construction costs for water and wastewater projects."

Community development is proposing a new tree installation fee of $200 for developers or builders.

A developer and builder has been required to install street trees prior to a home's final inspection and to obtain a certificate of occupancy.

It has caused hangups in developing subdivisions as contractors have damaged trees while construction is still occurring. Additionally, on speculative homes, the irrigation may not be turned on and the street tree might not survive if the developer is not diligent in its care.

The fee offers an alternative in which the city would take the fee in lieu of the tree planting and at the opportune time, the city would plant all of the street trees in a given area.

The tree installation program was adopted by the planning commission and council in response to concerns raised by builders during a contractor and developer forum.

"Some developments and builders will continue to plant their own trees, but others have asked for the option in order to help with the closing of sales," Keck said.

The vacation rate that snowbirds and second homeowners use while on vacation to suspend water and wastewater service is proposed to increase 2.5 percent. During the time residents are gone, the city still has to service and maintain the lines to a home.

"This is being increased as the costs of goods and services used to maintain the lines have increased," Keck said.

No changes in fees are proposed for the parks, recreation, police/public safety and building departments.