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Water, sewer rate hikes before Glenwood Springs Council

City of Glenwood Springs water and wastewater rate hikes are on the table for consideration at the regular Thursday night City Council meeting following two years of minimal or no increases.

Based on a recent cost recovery analysis, the city will need to increase water rates by 10 percent and sewer rates by 7 percent, according to recommendation from Glenwood Public Works Director Robin Millyard.

Under the rate proposal, the base rate for water service would increase from $11.97 to $13.17 per month, while the base sewer rate for in-city customers would increase from $58.36 to $62.45. Additional costs apply for using more than 2,000 gallons per month.



The rate adjustments are necessary to meet revenue requirements for the remainder of the year, Millyard indicated in a memo to City Council members. The analysis also suggests more increases will be needed in future years to keep up with the costs of providing water and wastewater services, he said.

City sewer rates were increased anywhere from 20 to 30 percent per year from 2006 through 2011 in an effort to pay for the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. Customers were given a break for two straight years in 2012 and 2013 when no rate adjustments were made.



During the same period, water rates rose anywhere from 4 to 10 percent. There was no water rate increase in 2013, however.

A comparison with other area municipalities provided by Millyard shows that Glenwood Springs’ new water rates would remain the lowest in Garfield County. Sewer rates, on the other hand, are somewhat higher by comparison, due to the ongoing cost recovery for the new sewer plant.

The rate proposals will be discussed during a 5 p.m. council work session Thursday, Sept. 4, and will be considered for formal adoption during the regular 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 101 W. Eighth St.


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