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City eyes water rate hike

| October 4, 2007 11:00 PM

By HEIDI DESCH Hungry Horse News

City water customers could see an increase in their water bill as early as December if the Columbia Falls City Council approves changes to the water rate structure next month.

The Council on Monday (Oct. 1) took a preliminary look at some harder numbers concerning a water rate change. The Council has been mulling the issue for several meetings now.

City Manager Bill Shaw is proposing increasing the water rate fees for two years — in November 2007 and August 2008.

The rate structure for water contains a fee for volume and a fee for base service charge.

Shaw is proposing increasing the base rate by 20 cents in 2007 and then again by 30 cents in 2008.

Also proposed is an increase in volume rates. Currently customers pay $5.40 for the first 6,000 gallons of water purchased. Under the new rates, in November 2007 they would pay $5.70 and in August 2008, $6 for the same amount of usage.

This represents a commonly used standard of 200 gallons per day for an average household.

Rates would increase at the same proportionately for amounts sold over that initial 6,000 gallons.

Shaw estimates that the total increase to the monthly cost for water would be 73 cents for January 2008 and $4.54 for August 2008.

He gave the example of a four-person family living in a single family residents. Their total monthly water bill for January under current rates would be $13.57, but under the new rates would rise to $14.30. The bill for August would raise from $54.01 to $58.55.

"We're hoping that by splitting the increase in two pieces it will be a little less expensive because of the sewer increase going into effect," he said.

The city sewer base rate will again raise next year by $1 per month. It will be the second of a three year raise of $1 per month to the base rate.

The council will also look at when the changes might go into effect if they decide to make the changes.

Shaw told the council that August is a high usage water month so the council could decide to impose the changes in the fall after usage drops.

Water rates haven't changed for the last five years. The Council began looking at making changes to the rates after Shaw reported that under current rate structures the fund would likely be short about $37,000 for operating costs.

The changes to the water rates will actually lower costs for commercial users.

Shaw used the example of a commercial restaurant with green-space for commercial uses. Its monthly water cost would decrease by $1.50 for January 2008 and $12.60 for August 2008.

Shaw said that the reason for the decrease is that commercial users routinely conserve water and use it over a more spread out time period.

"Residential water has a huge demand for a few hours, that's what drives the higher rate," he said. "The bigger demand results in a need for larger pipes and pumps."

If adopted the water rate change would appear on bills in December 2007 and August 2008.

The Council will be taking public comment on the change at its Nov. 5 meeting in City Hall at 7 p.m.

City looks to begin work on new riverfront park

By HEIDI DESCH — Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls City Council took care of a number of business items Monday (Oct. 1). The Council:

? Decided to hold a parks and recreation committee meeting on Thursday (today) to begin working on plans for the Flathead River land that the city purchased this summer for a park. The committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

City Manager Bill Shaw also updated the council on the status of the park.

He said fences have been put up to secure the property and a driveway installed so folks can access the park.

If the weather allows, city crews hope to construct a parking lot on the land.

? Approved a final plat request from Skyler and Tara Norick. The request is to split a lot at 254 First Ave. EN. The area is zoned for general business, which has no minimum lot size.

? Approved a final plat request by Meadow Lake Golf Resort, Inc. for a Meadow Lake Real Estate Office.

? Appointed Olaf Ervin and Jon Ludviksen to the city's board of adjustments. Charlie McCubbins resigned from his post on the board. The council was also looking to expand the board from five to six members because of past difficulty in having a quorum.

? Announced a public hearing for Oct. 15 on a conditional use permit request to operate an automobile collision repair shop in an existing building located at 2555 Ninth St. W.