Rates and Fees

Taxes

  
Real Estate (effective Jan. 1, 2024; $0.145 through December 31, 2023) $0.155/$100
Late Fee + 10%
Machinery & Tools  $0.86/$100
Late Fee + 10%
Personal Property/Automobiles & Trucks  $1.11/$100
Late Fee + 10%
Motor Vehicle License Fee (added to June 5 Personal Property Tax Bill)

$25 per motor vehicle
$15 per trailer
$18 per motorcycle

+ $10 Non-payment
Meals 6%

Late Fee
Paid within 1 month of due date
More than 1 month after the due date
More than 2 months after the due date
More than 3 months after the due date

 ---
+ 10%
+ 15%
+ 20%
+ 25%
Lodging 6%
Late Fee + 10%
Cigarette  $0.25/pack
   

Water Utility Fees 

  
Residential Minimum Bill (2,000 gallons or less) - IN TOWN $25.57
+ Additional Charge (per 1,000 gallons over minimum) $12.79
Non-Residential Minimum Bill (2,000 gallons or less) - IN TOWN $27.34
+ Additional Charge (per 1,000 gallons over minimum $18.06
Residential Minimum Bill (2,000 gallons or less) - OUT OF TOWN $35.80
                                                                                                                                       + Additional Charge (per 1,000 gallons over minimum) $17.91
Non-Residential Minimum Bill (2,000 gallons or less) - OUT OF TOWN $38.27
                                                                                                                                       + Additional Charge (per 1,000 gallons over minimum) $25.29
Water Availability Fee - 3/4" meter (call for larger meter pricing) $9,000
   

Sewer Utility Fees (Inside Town Limits)

  
Residential Minimum Bill (2,000 gallons or less) - IN TOWN $26.02
+ Additional Charge (per 1,000 gallons over minimum) $13.68
Non-Residential Minimum Bill (2,000 gallons or less) - IN TOWN $30.24
+ Additional Charge (per 1,000 gallons over minimum) $17.05
Residential Minimum Bill (2,000 gallons or less) - OUT OF TOWN

$37.13
                                                                                                                                        +Additional Charge (per 1,000 gallons over minimum) $20.30
Non-Residential Minimum bill (2,000 gallons or less) - OUT OF TOWN $43.15
                                                                                                                                        +Additional Charge (per 1,000 gallons over minimum) $24.33
Sewer Availability Fee - based on 3/4" Water Meter (call for larger meter pricing) $9,000
   

Trash 

  
Trash Service (per household/apartment) $13.38
+ Optional Trash Can Lease (64 gallon or 94 gallon can) $1.05
   

Additional Fees and Penalties

  
Water Deposit In Town Limits (all renters) $200
Water Deposit Outside Town Limits (all renters) $240
Utility Penalty Assessed (bill not paid by the 20th) 10% of Bill
Processing Fee Assessed (bill not paid by the 5th of the following month) $50
Meter Re-Read Fee $10
Meter Testing (in-house/3rd party) $15/actual cost
Water Turn On/Off (when no account established) $50

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Strasburg increase rates when everyone is struggling with the impacts of COVID-19?

Town Council is particularly sensitive and concerned about this and has decided to make the new fees effective as of January 1st 2021 instead of July 1st 2020, in order to allow more time for recovery.   

Category: Water & Sewer
Why are water and sewer bills so expensive in Strasburg?

While Strasburg’s rates may seem high, when compared to similarly sized towns, Strasburg’s water and sewer rates are competitive.  Please see the Water and Wastewater Rate Survey prepared by Draper Aden Associates to see how Strasburg rates compare with other localities across Virginia: https://www.daa.com/resources/past-www-rate-reports/

Large communities generally have more and larger users (customer base) which allows for an economy of scale to provide for lower rates.  

Category: Water & Sewer
Why do rates always seem to go up?

The costs to treat water and wastewater are affected by inflationary increases. Additionally, the Town of Strasburg constructed new water and wastewater plants in, 2013 and 2015 respectively, in order to meet state and federal standards, resulting in debt service payments. Town Council has made a conscious effort to gradually phase in higher rates to reduce the impact to households but, all expenses for water and wastewater treatment should be covered by rates and not tax dollars. 

Category: Water & Sewer
Why do rate increases need to happen now?

As responsible stewards of the community’s assets, water and sewer rates need to increase each year as the costs to operate increase. Both the water and sewer operating expenses have exceeded revenues in recent years resulting in a shortfall. For the sewer fund, that amount can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.  

The Town has also covered the difference between revenues and costs with tap fees from new construction or out of the respective savings accounts for these funds; however, that is not sustainable. Best practice advises having a less variable and more calculable revenue stream cover minimum operating expenses.  

Category: Water & Sewer
Why is the Town charging a new administrative fee?

To provide water and sewer services to Town residents, the Town incurs certain fixed costs that do not change if a customer uses more or less water. These include but are not limited to: reading meters, preparing bills, collecting payments, certain employee salaries, debt service, etc. The new administrative fees are intended to cover those costs more accurately than the current charges do.  

Category: Water & Sewer
What are the new rates exactly?

The current budget proposal includes a $3.00 administrative fee for both the water and sewer funds. Below is what that will look like on a typical minimum bill beginning on January 1st. There is not a rate increased proposed in addition to the new administrative fees. 

  Current Bill Bill with new Administrative fees
Minimum Bill Water $25.57 $28.57
Minimum Bill Sewer $22.02 $25.02
Trash & Recycling $11.00 $11.95
Total $58.59 $65.54

*Recycling services will not be provided after July 1st, 2020.

Category: Water & Sewer
How or when can I learn more and voice my opinion about water and sewer rates?

Town Council will be discussing the draft budget at the May 18th and June 1st Work Sessions. Meetings are currently being conducted via Zoom and comments can be submitted ahead of time as well. You can find additional information on how to participate at the following link:  https://www.strasburgva.com/administration/page/town-strasburg-electroni...

Category: Water & Sewer
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