PARK FALLS, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — Park Falls Mayor Michael Bablick held a public information meeting Tuesday regarding the city’s water rates, which stand to take a big jump now that the utility’s number one customer has closed up.
It’s a price hike officials blame on the permanent closure of the Park Falls Paper Mill.
“This utility was beholden to the mill, there was a good chance it was going away, we did everything we could to keep it because of this issue.” Bablick told WAOW TV.
Water utility customers in the city of Park Falls could be looking at a 74.33% increase in water rates, possibly $75 a quarter.
Bablick understands the frustration that the situation is causing residents. “A lot of heartaches, this has caused a lot of problems to this town beyond just money,” said Bablick.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has the final say over the city’s water rates. They’ll hold a public hearing on the matter later this week.
