Has anyone noticed that our water rates have escalated almost every year for the last twelve years?
Well, it's due to happen again. At tonight's council meeting, a vote will probably be taken to increase rates by approximately 5.6% for most residents.
. PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION NO. (R) 09 - 74 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA TO INCREASE WATER RATES, FEES AND CHARGES FOR THE ORO VALLEY WATER UTILITY
Here's the proposed new schedule as noted in The Explorer.
The Oro Valley Water Utility charges customers based on water usage. Customers are billed on a per-1,000 gallon rate. The amount of water used determines what billing tier customers will be in.
Tier 1 — up to 7,000 gallons
$2.18 current $2.20 proposed
Tier 2 — 7,001-16,000 gallons
$2.95 current $2.99 proposed
Tier 3 — 16,001-32,000 gallons
$3.95 current $4.03 proposed
Tier 4 — more than 32,000 gallons
$5.25 current $5.38 proposed
Source: Oro Valley Water Utility
4 comments:
These are called "inverted rates." You pay more for each consecutive tier of water use. The theory is that this will reduce water consumption.
There are numerous studies that prove that using water rates in this manner does not substantially reduce water consumption.
So... it feel good... but it don't work.
Average customer will see a 5.6% increase on the average consumer (8,000 Gallons Per Month).
Ouch.
Wish we all could get a 5.6% raise in bad economic times.
By comparison, the neighboring water district, Metro Water, charges $2.28 for the first tier. Their first tier goes up to 12,000 gallon. Oro Valley charges 8 cents a gallon less for the first 7,000 gallons, but charges 68 cents more for the next 5000. Why the increase? Is this to help fund the construction of CAP water to reach Oro Valley?
It would seem if the demand for water is down, the costs to deliver should be down as well. How has the OV Water Utility tightened their belts?
I don't see raising the rates as fiscally responsible.
Kudo's to Salette and Bill for voting no.
Post a Comment