Special hearing set for SMU sewer rate increase

The city is responding to a citizen complaint made at this week’s council meeting with a special hearing next week.

A meeting will be held at City Hall Wednesday to get public input on a sewer rate increase for Shawano Municipal Utilities.

The meeting at 6 p.m. in the River Room at will be in addition to a telephone conference hearing the following week with the Public Service Commission.

Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz, who is president of the SMU Commission, will be at the meeting to respond to customer comments, along with the utility’s new general manager and its financial manager.

Kurkiewicz said any public comments gathered during next Wednesday’s meeting would be presented at the telephonic hearing with the PSC. The PSC hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 21.

SMU is requesting an increase in sewer rates of 14 percent.

Kurkiewicz said next Wednesday’s evening meeting was set up in response to concerns from resident Ron Dahm at this week’s Common Council meeting.

Dahm criticized the holding of the PSC hearing during the day when many ratepayers are unavailable for comment because of work.

Dahm said he realizes the date and time are set by the PSC, but he said SMU should hold an additional meeting in the evening so more utility customers would be able to attend.

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Special hearing set for SMU sewer rate increase

The city is responding to a citizen complaint made at this week’s council meeting with a special hearing next week.