Water Rates On Next Week's Council Agenda

Next week, Council will consider a motion (item 2 on Town Council Meeting Agenda) to, provide notice to all of an intention to increase water rates.

"The ... resolution serves as the Town's Notice of Intent to Increase Water Rates, Fees and Charges for the Oro Valley Water Utility and establishes a Public Hearing date for November 17, 2010 allowing the Mayor and Council an opportunity to receive comments from the public and to formally consider a modification to the rates currently in effect."

"This Preferred Financial Scenario has no increase in the water base rate and the commodity rate. It does have an increase in the Groundwater Preservation Fee and other fee increases for cost recovery."

Water rate increases in Oro Valley have been an annual affair.

Even when they don't need the money, previous Council's have approved an water rate increase. Such also increases the "hanger on stuff" that Council's, over the years, have stuffed onto the water bill, like the Stormwater Tax. This year, its the Groundwater Preservation Fee that will get the increase.

Ever the victim, we, the Oro Valley residents, should start paying attention to this.

Water is the "gating factor" in the growth of any community in the Southwest.
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