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El Paso County staff outline proposed 9% water, 12% sewer rate increases for East Montana system
Summary
Public Works presented a five-year financial plan for the county-owned East Montana (East Montana Water System) showing proposed rate increases — 9% for water and 12% for sewer next fiscal year, with the goal of meeting debt-service and reserve targets and funding capital projects including a storage tank and meter replacements.
El Paso County Public Works presented proposed rate increases on May 15 for the county-owned East Montana Water System that would take effect Oct. 1 if adopted, including a 9% increase to water charges and a 12% increase to sewer charges for the coming fiscal year.
The presentation, delivered by Public Works staff and a consultant, outlined a rolling five‑year financial plan intended to cover operating costs, fund capital repairs and replacements, and meet debt-service coverage and cash reserve targets. "The county owns a public water system that is considered an enterprise account," Norma Rivera Palacios, deputy county administrator for Public Works, said during the presentation.
The plan assumes the enterprise must generate revenue sufficient to fund annual expenses, exceed legal debt-service coverage minimums and maintain minimum cash reserves. The consultant said the projections include a 9% water revenue increase next year and continued 9% annual increases…
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