An updated list of rates and fees was approved by the Gladstone City Commission at its Monday, June 9 meeting. They will go into effect on August 1.

As the city is required to set rates at the first meeting of June each year, rate studies were completed recently using Utility Financial Solutions, Waterworth software, and input from WPPI Energy. Cost, inflation and comparison with other communities were factors in raising prices of some services, but most rates and fees remained the same.

For electricity, the energy charge has gone up approximately 4% across the board, whether a customer is residential or commercial. The readiness-to-serve charge increased for some — by $1.50 for the residential and all-electric classes; for hot water and home heat, there is a 75 cent ​increase; small commercial operations will be charged $2 more.

The fine associated with tampering with a service meter doubled from $250 to $500.

Water rates will increase by 10.4% come August. A customer using 5,000 gallons a month would see a $4.50 monthly increase.

“This is the first rate increase on the five-eighths customer — which is the majority of the customers — the first raise in four years on that,” said Water Superintendent Rob Spreitzer. “and the first raise of the commodity charge in the past five.”

Wastewater rates are going up 6%. Customers with a five-eighths-inch meter will be paying $34.45 up from $32.50. Masonville Township customers will see a spike of a little over 6% but less than 7%.

New tapping fees rose from $800 to $1000 for three-quarters to one-inch, but for South Bluff the cost went from $1,500 to $3,000. The reason for the expense in South Bluff is because the water main is on the opposite side; Spreitzer said multiple contractors were consulted about the cost of directional boring.

Customers will see a 3% cost increase for garbage collection, plus an additional $2.48 monthly charge, which supports other forms of solid waste collection including composting, street sweeping and alley maintenance.

Fees for the Gladstone Bay Campground went up after the Parks and Recreation Department observed that its rates were lower than other campgrounds in the area. Daily fees went up by $5 for each of the four types of sites (tent, electric, water and electric, and full), while weekly and monthly rates increased by about 15%. Commissioners mentioned prices still seemed like a good deal for the quality of campsites, and that even locals frequently camp at Gladstone Bay.

For zoning and community development, permitting costs have increased in a few ways. For fences and signs, there are now two separate fees for an initial permit and a revision, with the hope that it will encourage people to do their due diligence the first time, rather than creating additional work for the department time and again. The application for a sign in a commercial area was raised to be more in line with fees in other communities.

Other increases were the application fees for a cell antenna, fiber installation and special meeting request.

No changes were made in the areas of general government, Downtown Development Authority, Fernwood Cemetery, Public Safety or Public Works.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, the Gladstone City Commission:

– approved a letter of agreement with local union Teamsters 406 for a summer work schedule. From June 1 to Aug. 31, City Hall employees will work four ten-hour days. The effect on residents: City Hall reception will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

– reviewed social district applications for Wally’s Bar and Saunders Point Brewing and granted permission for them to be sent to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

– reappointed Jason Lippens and Nathan Neumeier to the Downtown Development

Authority with terms expiring in May 2029.

– approved to pay bills of $11,260.42 to Hawkins, Inc. for water treatment; $13,694.40 to PK Contracting for road striping, and $6,223.51 to Cook Sign Services for a new “Welcome to Gladstone” sign and its installation. It was previously estimated that $8,943.43 of the cost of a new sign was expected to be covered by the insurance provider of the driver who damaged the old one.

– accepted a bid from Weaver Contracting, the lowest of five proposals, for a roof replacement on the Public Safety building. The cost will be $41,250 plus extra for sheeting replacement. The city had budgeted $100,000 for the roof replacement.

– for the replacement of a water department truck, agreed to award a bid to Fox Marquette. At $67,719, the price was not the lowest of the five received (the lowest was $1,363 less), but Fox was able to promise the best delivery time.

– approved the purchase of a trailer for the electric department, not to exceed $8,000. Department head James Olson chose to use money from the recent sale of the department’s pickup truck for the purchase of a new trailer.

– entered into a contract with Efficiency United Program to comply with Michigan Public Act 229 for energy waste reduction.

– extended the summer tax due date to Sept. 15, common practice in Gladstone to align with the state. The city’s charter states that taxes are due Aug. 15.

– approved request for disbursement of funds draw #35 to the effect of $84,530 for the wastewater treatment plant improvements. Superintendent Rodney Schwartz said that the project had hit a standstill when cracks were found in the primary digester, but he expects final completion to be the end of July.

– approved a contract with Northern Lights YMCA for lifeguarding at the Gladstone beach this summer. The Y will provide lifeguards from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday beginning June 23.

– heard an update from DDA Director Patricia West that the first farmers market of the season was a major success and that Downtown Ambassador Samatha Guadino was doing a great job. At capacity in the market square, the DDA will look into overflowing onto the sidewalk as even more vendors are interested in participating.

– heard a suggestion from Commissioner Robert Pontius that the city explore the possibility of turning an area of 10th Street north of Delta Avenue to the alley into a green space.

– was informed that the city has listed a job opening for a part-time zoning administrator. The duty had previously been bundled with community development.