MSD Approves Rate Increase for Fifth Straight Year

For the fifth consecutive year, the Metropolitan Sewer District has decided to increase rates for Louisville customers.The MSD board of directors argued the rate increase was prompted by about $850 million in improvements needed to comply with the Clean Water Act.Executive director Bud Schardein says the rate increases will continue but has told other news sources he expects the percentages to decrease.The rate increase will mean an average of $2.15 more per bill for customers, who will have the chance to voice their opinions during a 60-day public comment period, but some couldn’t wait.  Residents who attended the meeting Monday morning tried to voice their complaints, but were not allowed to speak.Louisville resident Ray Pierce is currently involved in a lawsuit against the agency and says the hike must be approved by the Metro Council, even though it is below 7 percent.“The KRS 76 actually says that the Metro council and the mayor will approve all rate increases not just seven percent" Pierce Says "that’s also part of our lawsuit.”Retiree Donald Olson also tried to voice his opinions at the meeting today, but was silenced by the board’s attorney Larry Zielke.Olson has accused the board of violating state law in a letter sent to multiple recipients, including Mayor Greg Fischer, U.S. Attorney William Campbell and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.