2017-10-24_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Chair Cihacek agreed the rate for use of over 30,000 gallons should be raised dramatically. It will not impact many customers, but it will show a conservation effort. If a person is going to use 100 percent more than the average household, they should pay substantially more. He suggested they raise the rate by 30 or 40 percent. Member Seigler stated he wants to see the numbers first and who is using what before they propose a rate hike. He does not agree that someone with more kids should have a 30 percent increase on their water bill. Mr. Freihammer responded he does not know the history of how the breakdown was originally determined, but they should be able to provide a quarterly analysis to answer some of these questions. Chair Cihacek agreed they can look at the rate structure based on more data, but he does not know if they should subsidize large households. They have more infrastructure needs than what the current cost represents. Member Seigler stated they are already charging an additional cost to address infrastructure needs. Mr. Freihammer stated the water usage rate covers the cost of water from SPRW S and the base rate covers the infrastructure needs. The amount of water through a pipe does not wear it down faster, but more usage may require a bigger pipe. Member Misra inquired if they know why usage had been going down and if they have information on the difference between summer and winter residential usage. The real high users are probably not large families. She agreed they should look at a rate adjustment for high volume users in an effort to encourage conservation. Mr. Freihammer responded people are a little more water conscious and appliances are more water efficient. There is a significant difference in usage between summer and winter, and there is also a significant difference with a dry versus wet summer. Commissioner Trainor commented the opportunity to make a recommendation to Council on the rate structure was at the last meeting and the purpose of this meeting is to provide a recommendation on the rates for neat year. Chair Cihacek stated half of the Commission supports changing the rate for usage over 30,000 gallons and they could try to come up with some changes. They could also provisionally accept this rate structure, get more information, and look at the 2019 rates. Member Seigel stated they need more information and he would like to look at what other cities do before they decide what to do with the rates. Page 6 of 14