The city council, along with senior analyst Elise Lechtenberg, among others, discussed four options last week in a special meeting. Officials are looking at current and future needs.
Many of the options included rate increases of roughly 25 percent or higher with a lower cap of water usage. The option that was approved calls for roughly a 35 percent increase with an 8,000 gallon cap.
“We believe that by reducing the cap residents can use, they will be more inclined to use less water,” said Lechtenberg. “We’ve also considered and looked at other cities with their water usage and rates.
“The cap is about the same, but the rate is much higher in many surrounding cities.”
Currently the rate approval calls for a $30 per month base rate for up to 8,000 gallons. If a resident goes over their allotted amount, overage charges include anywhere from 65 cents to $1.20 per 1,000 gallons used.
It also calls for a 6 percent increase for the next three years, then a 25 percent increase starting in 2013.
“The city’s Capital Improvements Plan calls for roughly $18.8 million for all projects that are planned over the next several years,” said Lechtenberg about the increase. “Over time we’ve considered inflation rates, growth rates and other things that lead us to believe the cost will go up to about $22.3 million.
“Some of the projects will also be covered by the city’s impact fees,” he said.
West Bountiful currently has a bond in the works that will cover much of the initial project work; however, Lechtenberg stated that the city will most likely have to bond again between 2015 and 2017, no matter which rate increase the council has chosen.
Some residents were reluctant to take the rate increase that was passed, citing another scenario that would have raised their rates up to 50 percent initially but increase only a small percentage over the next seven years.
Council member Ken Romney voiced concern over the 50 percent increase plan, stating that it may become more difficult to reduce rates in the future due to other costs of related projects, among other items.
Though the council approved the measure, they also decided to have a public hearing before fully implementing the increase so that other residents may voice their concerns.
They will also be able to offer their views on which of the four options presented will be best for the city in the future.
The public hearing is set for their next city council meeting, which will be held Nov. 18.
“No matter which option is chosen, the city will need to reassess the situation further down the road,” said Mayor James Behunin. “We’ll also make the decision on when to implement the changed increase.”
sgillet@davisclipper.com
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