CFalls proposes utility rate increases

The city of Columbia Falls plans to raise water and sewer rates and will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 2, to explain the changes and take public comments.

Proposed is a $2 monthly increase in the water base fee for a three-quarter-inch meter, from $8.50 to $10.50. Water uses with bigger meter sizes will see bigger monthly increases. For example, a user with a 2-inch meter would see an increase from $34 to $42.

The rate structure for sewer also contains a fee for volume and a fee for base service. The council proposes raising only the base fee by $1.50 per month for a residential equivalent dwelling unit, from $7.35 to $8.85.

Residential single-family customers are billed at a rate of one equivalent dwelling unit, according to city records. All other customers — commercial, industrial, government and multifamily — are billed one equivalent dwelling unit for every 50,000 gallons of metered water usage calculated annually. For example, a business with an annual metered usage of 2 million gallons is equal to 40 equivalent dwelling units.

The public hearing will be held during the council meeting that begins at 7 p.m. at Columbia Falls City Hall, 130 Sixth St. W. Written testimony can be mailed or delivered to the city clerk, or emailed to staalandb@cityofcolumbiafalls.com.