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Residents press council over 5% water increase; councilors say rise reflects higher wholesale costs and catch‑up after years of low increases
Summary
A resident told the Severance council a 5% water rate increase hits limited‑income households hard. Council members and staff responded that wholesale water costs rose (staff cited 7% for the town’s supplier), that the town aims to spread increases and build reserves, and that proceeds are earmarked for water operations and capital.
A resident who identified herself during public comment told the Severance Town Council on Jan. 14 that the recently approved 5% water rate increase will strain lower‑income households. “A lot of people who work, their companies do not increase their pay based on profitability. So when you have a 5% increase … on a very limited income, that’s huge,” the resident said.
Council members and staff used a subsequent discussion to explain the town’s reasoning. Council Member Gallardi and others said the town’s wholesale water supplier raised its rate this year…
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