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Mayor: Broomfield raised water base rate; utility assistance program available
Summary
Mayor Gaylene Castriada explained a recent rise in the water base rate — roughly $40 per month — citing a need to fund water and sewer enterprise obligations and future capital projects; the city opened a utility assistance program Jan. 1 for eligible households.
At a community State of the City event, Mayor Gaylene Castriada said the city and county raised the water base rate this year after a forensic review found enterprise revenues were insufficient to cover water and sewer operations and planned capital needs.
Castriada told a resident who asked about a higher water bill that the base rate increase is typically about $40 per month and that the city moved to a tiered rate structure last year but that change “wasn't enough.” She said water and sewer are enterprise funds that must be supported by user fees and cannot be subsidized from the general fund.
To help residents, Castriada said staff established a utility assistance program that began Jan. 1. “So if you're struggling, we have we have a solution to help you,” she said. The mayor described eligibility as applying to households “in the 100% average median income, income bracket” and said residents can apply through the city website; the precise eligibility language and income thresholds were not specified in the meeting.
Castriada also said staff offer free sprinkler system evaluations to help residents reduce usage and lower bills.
Ending: The mayor invited residents with billing questions to apply for assistance online or contact staff for water‑wise evaluations.
