Mountain Regional Water projects treatment-plant expansion, seeks WIFIA loan and proposes 5% average rate increase

Mountain Regional Water officials told the Summit County Council they expect production and wheeling changes in 2026 (reduced wheeling to Summit Water) and presented revenue/expense forecasts and a capital program that includes a proposed treatment-plant expansion.

Key points: the district forecast a drop of roughly 531 acre‑feet in production next year as wheeling contracts end but expects to recover revenue with a proposed 5% average rate increase, modest new growth and usage trends; the district anticipates a 15–19% impact-fee increase that will add roughly $1,000 in average impact‑fee cost per new home. The board is pursuing a ~ $38.9M WIFIA loan to fund a treatment-plant expansion; staff proposed a $263k 2025 budget amendment to cover loan-closing costs (advisors, legal, rating) and said excess non-operating revenue can cover the amendment.

Mountain Regional reported it maintained an AA Fitch rating during the finance process and that the district’s cash position of about $22M supports strong days-in-reserve; staff emphasized the WIFIA structure gives delayed payments and flexibility for rate-setting in the near term. The board scheduled a public hearing for Nov. 20 to consider the rate increase and new impact-fee schedule.

What’s next: the district will hold a public hearing on the rate/impact-fee changes and return with final documents on the WIFIA loan closure; the council approved tentative and amended budgets as part of the meeting’s consent items.