April 14, 2022 |
Saratoga residents can expect to pay higher water fees in the coming year. They inflationary pressures that are driving up prices on every staple of day-to-life—from groceries to gas at the pump—is coming to your water tap.
The need to raise water fees in Saratoga came up at last night’s Joint Power Water and Sewer Board meeting. Board member Craig Kopaz and Public Works Director Jon Winter were discussing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year and the impact of material costs to run the system are continuing to rise.
Board Chair Richard Raymer noted that the three-percent annual increase has not been assessed in at least three years. Winter noted that the fee has not gone up since the lagoon improvements in 2017. Raymer said the rate should probably go up sooner rather than later to avoid an even bigger sticker shock.
Much of last night’s meeting focused on the Spring Avenue Water Line Replacement Project. Price uncertainty and concerns about supply chain shortages for everything from 10-inch pipe to valves and fire hydrants were central to the discussion. The board is moving to secure materials now to lock in prices and delivery. The board approved a committee recommendation for a contractor, Lewis and Lewis, to oversee the water line replacement which is still scheduled for this summer and fall.
The board did not discuss how much the water fee might be raised. The fee will be under review during the budget process this May and June.
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