Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Upcoming increase in sewer & water rates

The City of Vinton is about to vote on and approve a roughly 200% increase in water and sewer rates. The average home (family of four) is currently paying around $80 per month, this is going to increase to $220.

Below is what I think are the facts behind the change. I'll admit that I am unaware of most City of Vinton dealings. I am only going off of information as I understood it from watching one meeting on YouTube and looking at past meeting minutes.

This increase is in order to pay for the financing of a project that is required by the DNR. During the meeting, the only options stated were whether or not the average bill will increase $140 or $160. The council stated that the project was planned and the engineer estimated the cost at $8.2 million. Bids came in and were discussed at the 11/27 meeting. The project was awarded at $12.6 million. The council stated that the plant is 40 years old but was built with a service life of 20 years. Our water and sewer rates have not been increased for years.
Originally I planned on speaking at tonight's meeting during the public comment section, but I know that anything I say in those chambers falls on deaf ears. Below are my questions and concerns.
First; why is this not a bonded project? The majority of city improvements are financed with property or sales tax. Why is this project different? Is the City reluctant to bond a project due to their goal of a new fire station, new recreation center, or new downtown apartments?
Second; why was the engineer so far off with the estimate and why was the City willing to move forward with the massive increase? If I leave the house to make a purchase and find it is 50% more, I reevaluate my need for said purchase thoroughly before shelling out the extra money.
Third; why was this not planned better? If we are operating a 40 year old system designed to last 20, why is that not our top priority? Why was this not brought up when planning new additions, replacing streets, implementing TIF districts, or applying for government grants?
Fourth; why were the residents given almost no notice of the increase? I don't go to the grocery store without knowing how I'm going to pay. This project was planned, designed, bid, and awarded before the funding was secured. This is a massive monthly increase for everyone in town. The way this project is funded is putting the biggest burden on the people most stressed about their budgets. Large families, inefficient houses, and renters will likely have a much higher increase than the "average" house.
The fourth point is my biggest issue. If I signed up for a subscription service that costs $140/ month without telling my wife, our marriage would be strained. If I used my company credit card to purchase software that costs $140/ month without letting my supervisor know, I would be fired.
The meeting to discuss the rate increase was held between Christmas and New Years, with voting to take place less than a month later. This is the political "lame duck" time of year. We had more notice and thought put into a sign ordinance than a change that will require a $2,000+ annual increase to local homeowner's budgets.
I'm tired of talking about my local government and using the term "unacceptable." Yet, it doesn't seem to be par for the course.
Kord Sellers