LV delays plan for sewer hike

Sito Negron

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003 | 9:39 a.m.

The proposed sewer rate and connection fee increases in Las Vegas likely won't kick in until the beginning of the year, and the public will have its chance to speak on the idea twice in the middle of November.

The proposal originally was on a fast track so it would be effective Dec. 1, but a combination of the canceled council meeting two weeks ago and the city's desire to give the public more time to digest the proposal pushed that effective date back, said Mark Vincent, the city's finance director.

"I think council wanted to do it slowly and cautiously and (address) concerns," he said.

Those concerns include the size of the increase -- 40 percent phased over two years -- and a fee to be assessed to sewer customers. The fee, now called a right-of-way assessment, will be 5 percent of the sewer bill, and is meant to offset the cost of the city's "use, improvement and maintenance of its rights-of-way utilized to provide sewer services," according to the City Council agenda item for Wednesday's meeting.

Carole Vilardo, president of the Nevada Taxpayers Association, said the rate increase is too "extreme," particularly for people who may be on a fixed income.

"While it may be needed, we believe it needs to be phased in over longer time," Vilardo said. And as for the payment in lieu of fees, she said, "that I absolutely do not support."

Such fees are charged elsewhere, including in Henderson, but Vilardo said that doesn't matter. She said it's been a practice longer than her group has had an office, and "the fact they're doing it (elsewhere) in my eyes does not make it right."

City officials say that the increases are needed to offset the cost of construction over the last 10 years, and to prepare for improvements to the system planned for the future. The idea first was proposed during budget hearings in the spring.

The proposed changes affect builders, whose $1,200 connection fee would go up to $1,680 over two years, and sewer customers, whose average annual bill would go to $204.04 from $138.80 over two years. The proposal also will eliminate the $3 charged to people who elect to pay sewer bills quarterly, and will contain a hardship provision for people with fixed incomes, Vincent said.

According to information provided by Las Vegas officials, their city's sewer and connection fees are among the lowest in the valley, and would remain so even after the increase. North Las Vegas already has passed an ordinance to increase its rates for three consecutive years.

The proposal is to be read into the record at Wednesday's meeting, and the current schedule calls for it to be discussed at a public hearing Nov. 19. In addition, there may be an opportunity for the public to comment at a Nov. 17 meeting of the Recommending Committee, which hears ordinances before possible adoption by council.