November 19, 2011 - The Black Hawk/Central City Sanitation District Lowers Sewer Fees...read more

The Board of Directors of the Black Hawk/Central City Sanitation District, David Spellman, Buddy Schmalz, Tom Kerr, Diane Cales and Jeff Aiken, are pleased to announce a 21% reduction in sanitary sewer user fees for District customers. The current rate of $20.20 will be reduced to $16.00 per single family equivalent effective January 1, 2012. This will be a savings of over $744,000 to its customers including the casinos, the District’s largest users.

According to Board President, David Spellman, “At a time when other utility providers are increasing their rates, prudent management of funds and strategic planning has enabled the District to take the sale proceeds from the old treatment plant site, as well as existing fund balances, to pay down the capital improvement loan and offer a reduced rate to the District customers.”

The District borrowed $24,000,000 to build the new wastewater treatment plant in 2002 with a payoff date in 2022. Utilizing the proceeds of the recent sale of the old treatment plant site and additional funds, the District will reduce the debt to approximately $2.9M. The remaining debt will be paid in 2015 with a savings of over $5,000,000.

Spellman said, “The District will still maintain a healthy fund balance to ensure any required treatment plant upgrades and any future sewer line replacements will be accomplished successfully without any rate increases to District customers.”