LV sewer increase flows through first step

Sito Negron

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003 | 9:11 a.m.

With little discussion because it was a consent agenda item, the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved the first steps toward increasing sewer rates and connection fees by 40 percent over the next two yearsy.

In addition to the sewer rate increases, the city will assess a fee, termed a right-of-way assessment, of 5 percent. The fee 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. The city introduced the ordinance to raise rates at its meeting Wednesday. The proposal will go before the city Recommending Committee Nov. 3.

The Nevada Taxpayers' Association has said the rate increase is too extreme, particularly for people on fixed incomes, and representatives plan to speak in opposition at the public hearing.

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 this spring.

The connection fee of $1,200 will go up to $1,680 over two years, and sewer customers' annual bill will rise from an average of $138.80 to $204.04 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.

According to information provided by the city, its 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.

In other action, the City Council: