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Montrose staff warns residents: full treatment plant would sharply raise water bills
Summary
Staff told residents a full $30 million treatment plant would mean a substantial near-term bill increase—about 200% initially—and then annual rate increases, alongside the city's projected annual bond payments starting around $2.69 million in 2026.
City staff presented an illustrative financing scenario showing a substantial impact on residential bills if the city moves forward with a $30 million full treatment plant.
The staff presentation said a loan-financed approach could require an initial increase "about 200% higher than your current water bill" followed by annual increases of roughly 7% thereafter. Staff also presented an example annual bond-payment schedule, starting near $2,692,000 in 2026 and tapering in later years in the schedule shown to the meeting.
Residents and council members repeatedly raised affordability concerns during the town-hall. "We didn't wanna give you a $200 increase on your water rates," a Committee member said while discussing alternatives and fiscal trade-offs. Staff and the presenter emphasized exploring modular systems and other smaller-scale solutions that could lessen the immediate rate shock.
