To Whitefish City Council and City Manager:

The residents of the subdivisions of Rest Haven Drive, Plaza Road, Glenwood Park, and other concerned residents request a major reduction in the sewer rates charged by the City. A recent survey of the residents in the subdivision of Rest Haven revealed that the twelve month average for a sewer bill is approximately $75 - $80 per month, which is more than three times the average monthly bill for a gravity feed home within Whitefish City Limits. Residents of Rest Haven Drive and Plaza Road have seen an 88% increase to their base rate, and a 76% increase to their usage rate since 2007. The bills do not include City water as residents are either using lake water or a well as their primary water source, these bills are for sewer ONLY. County residents have also paid the full cost for the installation of their sewer line extensions through a RSID on their property taxes over the last twenty years and assumed the City of Whitefish would be a good steward of this asset and charge reasonable sewer rates.

We do realize there are additional costs to pump the fluids ( this is a fluids only system ) to the treatment plant, and are more than willing to pay a reasonable amount for this, but the current rates are excessive. A flat rate in the $40 - $50per month range would be acceptable to most residents, and would cover the extra costs associated with the pumping station(s) and maintenance of the system. This would be fair to all parties concerned.Thank you to all residents, County or City,who have signed the petition, we appreciate your support.