Kingsburg City Council proposes new water rate structure to enhance fairness and conservation

Kingsburg residents can expect significant changes to their water billing structure following the recent Finance Committee meeting held on February 11, 2025. The committee proposed a new rate plan aimed at creating a more equitable system for water usage, which will phase out the current base fee that includes 11,000 gallons of water.

Under the proposed plan, all water usage will be billed based on volume, charging customers $1.23 per thousand gallons from the first gallon used. This shift is designed to ensure that customers pay for the water they actually consume, addressing concerns about fairness in billing where low and high water users previously paid the same base fee.

The new structure will differentiate base fees based on the size of water meters, aligning with industry standards. This means that larger meters, which require more extensive infrastructure to support, will incur higher fees. The proposed base fee will see a slight reduction in the first year before gradually increasing, while the volume rate will also rise by 4% annually to support utility maintenance and staffing costs.

The committee presented three options for the new rate structure, each with varying impacts on customer bills. For low water users, the changes will result in minimal increases, while higher water users will see more significant adjustments. The committee emphasized that even with the proposed increases, Kingsburg's rates will remain competitive compared to neighboring cities.

Additionally, the committee discussed the potential for implementing drought rates during water shortages, which would be based on cost of service rather than penalties. This plan aims to ensure the city can maintain revenue even during periods of reduced water sales.

As the city moves forward with these proposals, officials are open to feedback and further adjustments to the rate structure, ensuring that the community's needs are met while promoting responsible water usage. The Finance Committee's recommendations mark a pivotal step in modernizing Kingsburg's water billing system, reflecting a commitment to fairness and sustainability in resource management.