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Consultant tells Benton City council a multi‑year rate plan is needed to fix utility deficits; water could rise 12% in 2025
Summary
A consultant presented a 20-year water and sewer financial plan showing a 2024 water revenue shortfall of about $73,000, and recommended a multi-year rate plan (roughly 12% in 2025, then 9%, 7% and 4%) to meet operating needs, build 90‑day reserves and begin addressing capital needs.
BENTON CITY — A utility financial plan presented to the Benton City Council on Dec. 17 concluded the city’s water and sewer utilities need near‑term rate increases to stop tapping reserves and to build a modest capital fund.
Angie, a consultant with FCS, told the council the study models 2025–2030 fiscal scenarios and recommends a multi‑year package for water and sewer. “If we did absolutely nothing with rates we become more deficient over time,” she said, adding that a 12% water increase in 2025 followed by 9%, 7% and 4% would begin to correct an operating deficit and reach a 90‑day operating reserve target by about 2028.
The consultant…
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