Council discusses raising J-stand rates, residents press for water monitoring as Libra Solar project grows

Interim City Manager Jerry Bryant and Public Works Director Paul Shapiro presented a discussion item on April 13 about revising the city’s standpipe (J-stand) rate structure, citing increased demand and debt-service forecasts.

Under the current posted structure, Bryant said, the first 15,000 gallons are charged at $38.00, with additional usage billed at $2.80 per 1,000 gallons and a $25 deposit. Staff recommended changing the startup deposit to $100 and increasing the per-1,000-gallon rate to $5.00; the proposal also would institute a $30 service fee for accounts shut off for nonpayment. Council treated the item as discussion-only and asked staff to return with a formal recommendation for possible approval on May 25.

During public comment, resident Leo Solari pressed the council on how the city measures and monitors well usage, saying no meter is installed at the well and urging the city to designate an employee to monitor the supply. Robbin Biggs urged council attendance at an upcoming Walker River Irrigation Board meeting and asked that the presentation materials be included in the agenda packet; she also asked whether the Libra Solar project would be charged for water.

In departmental remarks, Interim City Manager Bryant responded that the Libra Solar project is paying for the water it uses and, he said, pays a premium over other residential or commercial users; he added that the project agreements are publicly available on the City of Yerington website.

Council did not vote on rate changes at the April 13 meeting; staff will return with a recommendation on May 25 for possible action.