GUERNSEY – There has been confusion by some concerning a report in last week’s Gazette in an article titled “Town increases utility rates to become sustainable” regarding the Guernsey Town Council’s passing of resolution 2025-003 on Aug. 20. It was reported:
… “We’ve been low for years,” Burfeind said regarding tap fees according to state standards and the bottom line of the costs involved in properly maintaining water, sewer, and electrical systems – including planning for future repairs and replacements.
Ordinance 2025-003 will increase sewer fees by 22 percent, electrical fees by 50 percent, and water fees by 33 percent, in order to break even with the utilities budget."

Town Planner John Burfeind told the Gazette the Town of Guernsey has been contacted by residents who were confused by this report, thinking the council voted to increase monthly service fees for utility rates, rather than the electric, water, and sewer utility tap fees.
To clarify, earlier this summer, the Guernsey council hosted a public workshop to discuss the need for raising the monthly service fees charged monthly to residents, but a decision has not yet been made by the board to increase those rates.
At the Aug. 20 meeting, the council voted to increase the fees charged for individuals or businesses to tap into the town’s water, sewer, or electric system. Burfeind told the council the increase was as minimal as possible to end with a zero on the balance sheet for the utilities budget regarding costs involved in making new connections or upgrades to current connections.
Resolution (not ordinance) 2025-003 outlines the fees according to the diameter of the tap desired. As an example, regarding the rate schedule for a one-inch residential tap fee, it will now cost $2,394 plus a charge for extra time and material if a street patch is needed; a four-inch residential sewer tap will be $1,464, and a residential electrical tap or upgrade will be $1,200.
The Guernsey Gazette apologizes for its part in any confusion on the increase of the tap fees.