LETTER: Osseo leaves residents under water

Sanitary sewer overcharges topped complaints. Although nearly all cities use winter quarter averaging to calculate sanitary sewer charges, Osseo did not use this method which resulted in sky-high utility bills.

City Administrator Riley Grams discussed how Osseo’s Q1 2023 Utility Rate Study may yield new rates and possibly a new rate structure to take effect at the beginning of Q2 2023 and before the watering season begins. Mayor Poppe added that he supports the city council looking into the utility rates further early in 2023 in order to make changes.

A few days after the work session, I emailed Mr. Poppe and Mr. Grams, requesting the city apply winter quarter averaging to recalculate the sanitary sewer rates and refund affected residents’ overpayments.

Poppe’s email response echoed Grams’ description of the city’s upcoming utility rate study which did not address my specific requests.

Grams’ email response opened with the same generic utility rate study information but closed with big news! Grams wrote, “The City is not issuing any refunds or recalculations at this time, unless expressly directed by the City Council.” Refunds are feasible!

FACT: The utility rate study will analyze 12 months of data from the new water meters to determine accuracy, detect leaks, and prevent billing snafus in which residents are not charged or are undercharged for water.

FACT: Although peddled as a one-size-fits-all solution, the utility rate study by itself will do nothing to remedy the problems residents raised. The city can apply winter quarter averaging, refund overcharges, audit utility billing system, provide ready access to financial/contractual information, and communicate transparently – now – there is no reason to wait for 12 months of data from new water meters.

Residents call for Poppe and Grams leadership to rectify grievances now and stop residents’ money and quality of life from continuing down the drain.

Kathleen Gette

Osseo