The cost will double from about $26 to $50 per month.

The state and Humboldt County have sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to a small town in northernmost Nevada, to help them maintain their sewer system. But that funding is going dry until residents cough up more of their own money.

Humboldt County Commissioners approved a rate hike for McDermitt residents on Monday. Instead of the existing flat rate of $26 a month, properties will pay a flat rate of $46 per month, plus an extra $1 for every 1,000 gallons of water it uses. Starting July 1st, most community members living in single-family homes will face a sewer bill that's almost double what they usually pay.

"These fees should make us whole, and provide us with a little bit extra so we have some money in the bank, should we have an issue, we can fix it," said County Manager Don Kalkoske.

Public Works Director Daniel Ferraro said that the last time Humboldt County raised McDermitt's sewer fees was in 1974.

"The fund balance for sewer is declining every single month," said Rhona Lecumberry, county treasurer, adding that McDermitt ended April with just $12,000 in it's sewer account.

In light of the ongoing deficit, Kalkoske said that McDermitt relies heavily on the state revolving fund for capitol improvement projects. The county administrative clerk said that federal and state agencies have indicated that they will no longer grant or loan McDermitt money for sewer projects until the town proves that it's turned its deficit around.

Nonetheless, residents said that it's a hard cost to swallow.

“Water is really expensive here, so when everything is said and done, it’ll be close to about $120 a month now for water and sewer," said Michele Hartley, who has lived in McDermitt since 1988.

She added that she was glad the rate increase wasn't higher. The county had initially proposed raising it to almost $85 by 2026, but settled on the lower usage-based cost.

“I’d like to think that they’re trying to do the best that they can with the money that has been allocated," Hartley said. 

Along with the rate hike, commissioners said that they would start reviewing McDermitt's sewer fees annually to avoid raising rates all at once in the future.