Council to revisit bulk-water fees; agrees to use sales revenue to replace malfunctioning meters

The Boulder City Council voted Oct. 21 to delay changes to its bulk-water fee structure until the city sets new water rates tied to loan repayment, and approved using revenue from bulk-water sales to replace malfunctioning water meters.

Council President Drew Dawson, who moved the motion to bundle fee changes with rate-setting work, told colleagues that the city sold 1,139,200 gallons this year, generating $11,392. He said consolidating public hearings on rate-setting and bulk-water fees would be more efficient than creating a separate citizen committee. "As we determine our fee structure for repaying the loans for the water system improvements, we will be required to have public hearings. It just makes sense to address the issues together," Dawson said.

Dawson later moved to direct that the city use funds earned from bulk-water sales to replace malfunctioning meters; the council approved the motion with four aye votes. Dawson and other councilors clarified that meter failures caused by owner negligence would remain the property owner's responsibility. The motions passed with a recorded outcome of four ayes and one absence.

The council did not set new bulk-water rates at the meeting; Dawson indicated the city will hold public hearings on rates at regularly scheduled council meetings with notice via the Monitor and posted locations around Boulder.