JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Utility bills in Jefferson Parish are set to increase January 1, 2024.
In 2021, the Jefferson Parish Council adopted a 20-year rate increase to improve sewer and water infrastructure.
JP Public Works Director, Mark Drewes, said it secured the funding with a gradual increase over time.
“The parish was in dire need of addressing this issue," Drewes said, “All of those pipes are 60 years old. Most of them past their design life. So, what was happening is, we’re repairing as they break, but we’re repairing more and more and more, and basically, those two departments, water and sewer, were basically on the verge of going broke.”
Now, that scheduled increase, combined with a new trash contract that takes effect on Jan. 1, will result in higher bills.
Most Jefferson Parish utility bills include water, sewer, garbage, recycling, mosquito control, recreation and a LADHH safe water fee.
Water and sewer rates are based on consumption and the average household consumption is 6,200 gallons per month, Drewes said.
“We’ll see about a, just over, $13 per month increase on their overall bill," Drewes said, based on 6,200 gallons per month.
But that doesn't include recycling rates, which have yet to be determined by the JP Council.
JP Councilman, Deano Bonano, said he doesn't want to impose an additional fee when only 30-35 percent of customers recycle.
“On the recycling, I’ll tell you it’s probably not something I can vote for," Bonano said, "Is it really an effective program?”
Recycling would cost an additional $4 to $8 a month, depending on which contractor the council chooses, Drewes said.
Bonano said the average customer may see a $16-$20 dollar increase each month, depending on recycling.
The council will take up the recycling issue at the next meeting on Dec. 6.
Because JP bills its customers every other month, you may not notice right away. By March, everyone who pays a JP utility bill will notice the increase, Bonano said.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.