MARSHALL — It’s not something that would likely have a big impact on homeowners, Marshall Public Works Director Glenn Olson said. However, a proposal to change how often the city of Marshall approves rates for surface water and wastewater fees could be helpful for industries in town.

Part of the discussion at a Marshall City Council work session last week was whether the city should continue to recommend rates for surface water and wastewater fees on an annual basis. Olson said council members discussed a proposal to recommend rates every three years, with the option to review the rates if there are significant changes before a three-year period is over.

There would be potential benefits to the change in scheduling, Olson said. If rates are set every three years, “There’s the ability, especially for commercial and industrial users, to plan that into their schedule of costs,” he said.

Marshall’s city wastewater rates and surface water fees go toward city utilities, like sewer and storm sewer lines, and wastewater treatment. Marshall’s city fee resolution currently lists surface water rates at $5.08 a month for single family residences. Rates for industrial and multi-family properties are $32.56 an acre per month. Commercial property rates are $50.64 an acre per month.

The domestic wastewater rate in Marshall is currently $4.30 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater. Residential and commercial properties also have a monthly base charge of $21.83. Industrial wastewater rates are $2.74 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater.

Typically, Olson said, Marshall reviews its wastewater and surface water fees early in its budget process each year — around August or September. That helps give industrial and commercial properties more time to work the fees into their own budget plans. Recommending new rates once every three years would allow even more time.

While Marshall currently approving surface water and wastewater fee rates each year, Olson said the city does have longer-term planning strategies in other places. For example, the city’s capital improvement planning process extends years into the future.

While the council didn’t take direct action on the proposal at last week’s work session, Olson said it will likely be discussed again before the end of the year, as part of the city’s final budget review.