In the midst of a global pandemic that has crippled private-sector companies (but not local, county or state governments, of course), that has created massive levels of unemployment and underemployment around the nation, enters the city of Wheeling telling its residents that they must now pay on average $18 more per month for water, sewer and garbage service.
Talk about poor timing.
For some residents, $18 a month --or $216 annually -- is not that big of a deal. But for many others -- including those living on fixed incomes, or those who saw their family income plummet over the past year -- $216 could be a month or two of groceries, or several months of medicine.
Of course, there's never a good time to raise taxes or fees on services for residents. But when coupled with the $2 user fee now in effect, residents who work and live in Wheeling will be paying, on average, $320 more per year to the city.
Unfortunately, the rate increases likely will continue to grow in years to come. The rate increase implemented last week is but a drop in the bucket of what the city truly needs to upgrade its infrastructure.
Also, another uncomfortable truth in cities such as Wheeling is that these needed infrastructure upgrades come as the population decreases, meaning the financial burden of funding these mandates is being spread among fewer people and businesses.
Mayor Glenn Elliott spoke to this during the council meeting: "I recognize it's going to hurt a lot of folks," Elliott said of the rate increases. "But the city is in many respects behind where it needs to be in terms of getting our water and sewer infrastructure up to speed with modern day standards. We can't keep kicking that can down the road."
One positive that did come out of the discussion around increased rates is that the city may look into ways that funds from the COVID-19 relief bill may be able to help families that demonstrate a hardship through the new rate structure. That's a good idea, as the city is sitting on millions from earlier COVID relief packages and is set to receive $29.51 million from the latest measure.
Anything that can be done to lessen the blow should be explored.