Farmington City officials say they have had a growth in expenses. The city has seen a charge rate increase of 3 percent every year for the past five years. However, officials have not raised their rates in eight years.
“We’ve come to a point where it becomes difficult to maintain,” said Farmington City Manager Max Forbush.
The city has studied through the rates twice before setting its rate for residents at $18.25 per month. Commercial will share the same rate, and Lagoon will pay $614.25 per meter.
There were no residents attending the public hearing, which was held at the last city council meeting. The rate increase was approved there.
“We’re looking to build up our fund balance, and we have had a growth in expenses,” said Forbush.
The residential base rate is an increase of almost $5 per month, while commercial and Lagoon rates will increase between $2 and $3 per 1,000 gallons.
Lagoon Corp. president David Freed has been working with Farmington City officials on the increase.
“We’ve got to make sure Lagoon isn’t paying for the public, and the public isn’t paying for Lagoon,” he said.
Officials have also had some difficulty getting inside the homes of some residents to read the water meters. Council members and staff discussed creating an ordinance that would mandate access into a building.
Beginning this August, most of the meters will be read every month. Approximately 20 percent of residents have indoor meters that need to be changed with new “radio-read” meters to accommodate for the monthly read without having to physically walk into the home. Those with the inside meters will be contacted.
Farmington City hopes to even out water bills by reading meters more often.
Both the increase in water rates and the switch to monthly meter readings were approved by council members.
sroberts@davisclipper.com
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