Meetings haven't yet been scheduled for Ashwaubenon, Howard and Lawrence. But the De Pere resident, one of just a half-dozen to show up for the meeting, was a walking question mark as he left City Hall. But I'm still puzzled as to why my water rates are going to be astronomical. De Pere is one of nine Green Bay suburbs weighing a decision to sign a contract to buy lake water from the Central Brown County Water Authority starting in 2005. The nine-community authority voted in 1999 to build a pipeline to Lake Michigan to supply drinking water to residents now served by ground water via municipal wells.
Studies show the suburbs are using up ground water more than twice as fast as it's being replaced.
The eight other authority communities are Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Hobart, Howard, Lawrence, Ledgeview and Scott. A decision from all nine is due March 1. The tripled rate would still be lower than those paid in the eight other authority communities. Tuesday's public informational meeting was also a combined meeting of De Pere's Board of Public Works and Finance Committee. Together, the membership of the two bodies comprises all eight of the city's aldermen.