VALENTINE, Neb. — Water and sewer rates in Valentine are going up. At Thursday night’s city council meeting, members approved a 9.1 percent increase for water and a 35 percent increase for sewer.

Although the City’s most recent audit showed overall strong finances — including a $318,000, or 4.5 percent, decrease in debt — auditors flagged utility rates as an area needing attention.

“Once you get behind on those, it’s hard to keep up,” said Michael Hoback with AMGL, who presented the 2023–24 audit report.

Council member Brad Arnold noted that the sewer department has been losing money for years without rates being adjusted appropriately for years.

“Isn’t the goal for the sewer rates to pay for the sewer, and the water to pay for water,” asked Arnold.

City Manager Shane Siewert also warned that the City may soon need to invest more in water system improvements due to elevated nitrate levels in at least one well.

“When I first started, nitrate levels were regularly under five. Now they’re between five and ten. Once they get above ten, we can’t use that well,” Siewert said.

The council also recently approved a contract for an interceptor sewer project — an upgrade officials said has been delayed for years because of increasing costs.

The new interceptor line would eliminate lift stations and periodic sewer issues along Highway 20, along with open the door for additional development, including a proposed subdivision across Green Street from Valentine High School and potential expansion at the Cherry County Fairgrounds. City officials say those projects are essential to addressing the town’s housing shortage.

In Valentine the average residential sewer bill is $21.22, which would increase to $28.64. For water, the average rate would go from $22.92 to around $25.00.