OTTAWA — In October, you’ll see $1.50 more added to your water bill. The Ottawa City Commission approved the monthly water surcharge this morning. City finance officer Scott Bird said the surcharge will end in about 15 months after it starts. The city must spend about $250,000 to certify the city’s levee system, a new requirement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said. If the city doesn’t certify the levee system, many residents and businesses would have to buy flood insurance, but at a rates as if the levees didn’t exist, said city manager Richard Nienstedt. That would be too expensive, he said. By refinancing two general-obligation bond issues, the city will be able to pay about half of the certification cost, Bird said. Rather than raise property taxes, the city came up with the proposal of a temporary surcharge on water bills, he said.
Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2:30 p.m.
