While the communities served by the Hammond Sanitary District wait to see what its rate increases will cost them, the Town of Highland will likely see its stormwater and sewer rates go up as early as February.

The Highland Sanitary Board at its Tuesday meeting voted unanimously to increase its sanitary and stormwater rates 56% and 58% — though customers will see only a 23% to 25% increase to their bills — depending on the amount of consumption. The increases will be the first to those elements since July 2016.

The increases are expected to cover amounts previously supported by a property tax levy the Sanitary District no longer has, Clerk-Treasurer Michael Griffin said. It would also generate $1 million in revenue above what the town currently collects — bringing the total to $2.1 million — and would be expected to cover system improvements as well money the town can legally return to the general fund for raises and other expenses, such as payment on the $218,407 Highland owes the City of Hammond for infrastructure improvements through 2033, he said.

Initially, the board was looking at a 99% increase, Griffin said, but with the expected increases to the water rates and a potential wheel tax, Griffin said 99% would be tough to inflict on residents. The board, with its accountant London Witte, was able to change just the flow variable and the fixed rates affecting non-metered customers to $4.85 per 1,000 gallons for flow rate and $46.33 per unit for non-metered customers per month

“Again, I would represent the people that, even though the individual rate might be going up by 56(%) and 57%, the overall bill will only go up by 22.5%, and almost 25% based on those two formulas, as they stand,” Griffin said. “I’m just proposing you consider just this slight little change that modifies your flow rate slightly, and that one fee that’s the flat fee for non-metered users.”

No one spoke for or against the increase during the public hearing.

The Town Council is expected to take the matter up at its Dec. 28 meeting. If passed, the rates will go into effect Feb. 1, Griffin said.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.