Binghamton Johnson City Sewage Plant Votes 0% Rate Increase for Some

The stake-holders in Broome County’s major sewage treatment facility are in agreement on a compromise budget that will mean no sewer rate increases for customers in the City of Binghamton.

The Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant board voted September 23 on the plan that eliminates some proposed new jobs and cuts $500,000 in spending.

The sewage treatment plant on Vestal Road in Vestal was due to add six jobs but two of those positions were defunded in an effort to reign in soaring costs.  Much of that cost is coming from repairs to repeated flood damage at the facility and required upgrades.

Binghamton Mayor Richard David, in his budget message to City Council, promised a zero percent sewer rate increase if the board went along.

Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie says the village is still looking at its associated costs for the plant to determine how much its sewer rates will be.

The sewage plant, as its name suggests, is owned by the City of Binghamton and Village of Johnson City but also serves several other municipalities and customers in the area.

Other users of the plant may also be looking at rate increases in 2020.