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Snowflake adopts five-year water and wastewater rate plan
Summary
After a presentation from consultants, the Snowflake Town Council approved Resolution 2026-01 adopting a five-year water and wastewater rate plan (Scenario 1). The council and public discussed alternatives, affordability for seniors, and the plan’s long-term infrastructure aims.
Snowflake’s Town Council on Jan. 6 adopted a five-year plan to increase water and wastewater rates, approving Resolution 2026-01 and selecting the “Status Quo” rate scenario. The vote to adopt the plan was unanimous among members present; Mayor Byron Lewis and five councilmembers voted in favor, with Councilmember Joe Bjornn absent.
Dan Jackson of consulting firm Willdan presented the study and recommended a five-year rate plan intended to fund long-term maintenance and replacement of the town’s water system. Jackson said average annual increases in the study are about 5–6% and projected that, without continued reinvestment, costs could grow substantially over time; he described the proposals as “revenue neutral” between the two scenarios presented, meaning both would generate the same required revenue while differing in rate structure and conservation incentives. Jackson also told the council that past management had avoided long-term debt and that rate adjustments are an investment to preserve service levels.
Council and public commenters questioned how drought and affordability were addressed. Councilmembers asked whether the council could revisit the chosen scenario in future years; Jackson said the council retained the option to change scenarios after adoption. Mark Keiser, a resident who has helped maintain Snowflake Heights Boulevard, asked the council to consider a separate rate structure for elderly residents to ease affordability pressures on fixed-income households.
Council discussion emphasized balancing long-term system health with customer impacts. Councilmember Mark Sheen said he preferred the Status Quo scenario for a more gradual approach; Reid Stinnett noted any increase would likely reduce discretionary water use and favored a slower ramp-up. After closing the public hearing, a motion by Sheen, seconded by Cory Johnson, carried to approve Resolution 2026-01 and select Scenario 1.
Next steps: the town will implement the adopted rate schedule over the next five years. Councilmembers and staff indicated the council can revisit rate structure or scenario choices in later budget cycles if circumstances change.
