Monument council approves Loop Water Authority payment, asks staff to vet alternatives before January decision

Monument’s Town Council voted to pay a roughly $219,000–$220,000 invoice from the Loop Water Authority on July 6, while directing staff to produce additional financial modeling and public outreach before deciding on a long‑term water solution.

Finance Director and interim Public Works director Jennifer Phillips, presenting a water rate study, told the council the town has about 1,600 residential and a little more than 200 commercial customers; the average residential bill is about $96 per month. Phillips presented three rate options that generate roughly the same revenue: a five‑year 10% annual increase; a graduated schedule with no increase for the first 3,000 gallons and higher percentage increases above that; and a steeper graduated option. “We are recommending option number 2,” Phillips said, arguing it advances water conservation while meeting projected revenue needs through 2029.

Council members repeatedly pushed for more detail about the long‑range capital needs tied to a regional solution. Jason Hann, the Loop Water Authority’s executive director, who started in June, said his immediate priorities are to reach a higher design confidence level and to secure grants and a better contracting approach. “I believe our metric right now is we will have a 60% design within the next couple of months,” Hann said, and added the Loop will produce member‑specific cost‑benefit analyses comparing the Loop, alternative local solutions and a third conceptual option.

Councilmember discussion focused on timing and the town’s previous investments in feasibility work. Several members said they were comfortable paying the current budgeted amount for 2026 (staff described the check as roughly one‑half of the budgeted $440,000 contribution), but also wanted staff to return with vetted numbers for the third option and to solicit community feedback on acceptable bill impacts. One councilor questioned the value of waiting another six months given repeated delays; others said additional design confidence was worth a short delay before a final policy decision.

A motion to pay the Loop Water Authority project bill was made and seconded; council recorded the motion as passed 5–1. Council simultaneously tasked staff to: (1) finalize the water‑rate study and bring a rate resolution back for adoption; (2) produce detailed cost models for the third option; and (3) design outreach to determine residents’ “pain point” (acceptable monthly bill range) ahead of a January decision.

What’s next: Staff will finalize the rate study and prepare a resolution to adopt new rates at a future meeting; the Loop director pledged to provide more granular modeling and to accelerate 60% design work to inform council and budget discussions.