Council eliminates contractor-only bulk-hydrant category, raises meter deposit to $2,000

The Belen City Council on May 18 approved an amendment to the city’s utility fee schedule that eliminates a contractor-only category for bulk fire-hydrant use and increases the meter deposit.

Councilor Steven L. Holdman moved to eliminate the "Bulk Fire Hydrant User/Contractor use only" designation and to raise the deposit for the meter from $950 to $2,000; Councilor Rudy M. Espinoza seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote from Councilors Espinoza, Ortega, Holdman and Armijo.

Mayor Robert Noblin and staff said the change is intended to align Belen’s bulk hydrant fee structure with adjacent municipalities and simplify the rate schedule. The amendment updates Chapter 13.12, Appendix A of the Belen Municipal Code (Utility Rates and Charges 2025–2026).

Speakers: [{"name":"Steven L. Holdman","role_title":"Councilor","affiliation_type":"government","first_reference":{"block_id_start":"SEG 002"}},{"name":"Rudy M. Espinoza","role_title":"Mayor Pro-Tem","affiliation_type":"government","first_reference":{"block_id_start":"SEG 002"}},{"name":"Robert Noblin","role_title":"Mayor","affiliation_type":"government","first_reference":{"block_id_start":"SEG 002"}}]

Provenance: {"transcript_segments":[{"block_id_start":"SEG 002","block_id_end":"SEG 002","evidence_excerpt":"To get rid of the Bulk Fire Hydrant User/Contractor use only; to be more in line with adjacent municipalities.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id_start":"SEG 002","block_id_end":"SEG 002","evidence_excerpt":"Councilor Steven L. Holdman made a motion to eliminate the Bulk Fire Hydrant User and update the Deposit for meter from $950 to $2k for deposit. ... Motion Carried","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}