April 28, 2023 |
Photo – Saratoga Water Treatment Building – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga’s Impact Joint Powers Board discussed water fee increases at their meeting this week.
The board met Wednesday evening to debate changes to the town’s water ordinances. Board members discussed various matters, including changing existing codes and creating new ones with the mayor and Saratoga Town Council members.
The joint powers board tackled the section of the town’s water ordinance governing tap fees. A tap fee is paid by a builder when they connect to the town’s main water supply. As of now, the tap fee is $3,500. Jim Ford said the price needs to reflect the added strain a new connection applies to the existing water network.
The board agreed that $3,500 might not be adequate to support the town’s water infrastructure heading into the future. A rate increase may be necessary. JPB chairman Ryan Munks suggested splitting the fee into two parts.
A tap fee would still be paid when a builder connects to the town’s water main. Afterwards, a connection fee would be assessed when the town installs a water meter and service begins. Munks presented a potential price that factors in current inflation figures.
Russell Waldner said the tap fee should reflect the real-world value of the town’s water infrastructure. He suggested they divide the price of replacing the entire system by the number of users to determine a realistic tap fee.
Mayor Chuck Davis said he would research the cost of the town’s water plant and bring the information back to the JPB at a later date.
The board also discussed raising water rates. Munks said over the past 10 years, the Consumer Price Index has increased 4.2% a year. To keep up with inflation, Munks suggested an automatic annual water rate increase of 3%. Munks read his CPI data to the board.
Mayor Davis said the town could send out yearly reminders about the automatic water rate increase. However, the mayor said to legally update the water rate percentage, the town would need to amend the ordinance every year. Three public readings are required to alter an ordinance. Mayor Davis said summer budget talks are the best time to undertake that process.
Another change to the town’s water codes is the addition of a termination clause for users. Munks said the new language would allow citizens to voluntarily relinquish their water meter to avoid paying fees on a vacant lot. To reconnect the property to the town’s water supply, a connection fee would need to be paid. Munks said the price of the connection fee is to deter part-time residents from removing their meters while they aren’t in town and having the meter replaced when they return.
None of the proposed alterations to the water ordinances have been finalized at this time. The Saratoga Impact Joint Powers Board members will continue to work on the codes. When they are finished, they will bring the completed product to the town council for approval.
