JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – If you are a Jamestown resident, you may notice a small increase in your utility fees in 2023.

In a combined meeting of the Finance and Legal Committee, City Public Works Director Tyler Michel stated that a committee of 5 including Councilman Steele, City Engineer Travis Dillman, City Administrator Sarah Hellekson, and City Sanitation Foreman Shawn O’Neill recently met to discuss changes in rates for utilities in 2023.

Michel said that the water utility rates will NOT change for 2023. Michel asked that there be a creation of a “water distribution fee” which would help aid in reducing special assessments for the water main projects.  This would be a flat rate $5 fee per bill.  The water meter on demand fees will be recommended to be increased, it was a fee that hasn’t seen an increase since 1967.

Michel said the commercial garbage collection fees will be recommended to be increased by 20 percent over 2022’s rates, because of the increased costs of fuel, labor, equipment, and capital expense.

One other change the committee discussed was to eliminate the 500 pound free drop off at the city baler, instead continuing the city wide clean up week.  It was noted Jamestown is one of the only cities in the state to offer the 500 pound free drop off.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich reminded the committee that the none of the fees were specifically dedicated to water meters, or for water line replacements because that is paid from the water utility.

It was moved on to the City Council without recommendation to be discussed further.