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Jerome board adopts policy for 5% annual water-rate increases
Summary
After a presentation from Benton & Associates, the Village of Jerome amended its water-rate ordinance to allow an automatic 5% increase each January to create a 1–2 month fiscal buffer, and approved Ordinance 27-03 by roll call.
The Village of Jerome Board voted July 2 to amend its water-rate ordinance to allow a 5% automatic increase each January.
Cameron Hayes of Benton & Associates presented the study informing the change and recommended the annual adjustment: "their recommendation is a 5% increase each year that would allow a 1–2month buffer." The board discussed the effect of Springfield’s rate increases on Jerome’s wholesale costs and accepted the amendment to Section 600.1-9 as reflected in Ordinance 27-03.
President Mike Lopez presided over the vote; the motion, moved by Trustee Ralph Irons and seconded by Trustee Katrina Christofilakos, passed by roll call. The ordinance is intended to give the village a predictable mechanism for aligning retail rates with rising wholesale costs and to reduce the need for ad hoc rate changes.
The change will take effect as written in the ordinance, with annual adjustments each January. No specific customer bill impacts were provided at the meeting; the ordinance sets a percentage policy, not individual household charges.
