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Consultant recommends multi-year water rate increases to fund aging infrastructure and operations
Summary
Bowen Collins & Associates recommended multi-year water rate increases beginning in FY2027 to cover infrastructure replacement, fire flow improvements and well maintenance; typical single‑family bills could rise $2–7 per month depending on usage.
Aaron Anderson of Bowen Collins & Associates presented a five‑year water rate model at the March 26 council meeting that projects revenue needs and recommended phased rate increases.
Anderson said the analysis showed a need for roughly 12% revenue increases in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 (implemented in the model as about 10.2% rate increases in those two years), followed by recommended increases of 10%, 7% and 7% in subsequent years. He estimated low‑use single‑family customers would see average monthly bills rise by about $2–3, while higher water users could see increases of $6–7 per month.
City Manager Dan Jessen noted that impact fees will help fund growth‑related capital but that replacement of aging mains, well maintenance, fire flow improvements and efforts to bring springs back online would need to be paid from rate revenue. Council members agreed to review the draft report Anderson will provide and indicated comfort with moving the item to a future action agenda.
