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StumbleHenderson water rates set to go up
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
Kathleen Boutin
Debra March
Sun coverage
Henderson’s water rates will increase for each of the next two years, starting Jan. 1, after the City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday for a rate hike.
The increase for a single-family residence in 2010 will be about $2 per month for water service charges. The monthly sewer charge increase should be about 88 cents per home.
Increases for 2011 will be similar, with a $2 increase on water service charges, and a 91-cent increase in sewer charges.
Next year, a single-family residence can expect to pay about $54.82 per month for its water bill. For 2011, that will go up to about $57.72 a month.
The increase was approved by four of the five Henderson City Council members at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Kathleen Boutin, the city’s councilwoman in Ward III, voted against the increase, citing difficult economic times.
“I couldn’t in good conscience raise the rates,” she said. “A good portion of my constituents live in low-income areas.”
This is the first time water rates have increased since 2006, said Dennis Porter, Director of the Utility Services Department for Henderson. He said the increase is necessary to maintain the quality of services and quality of water the department supplies to Henderson.
Operating costs, including those for maintenance materials and treatment chemicals, are out of the department’s control, he said.
Councilwoman Debra March of Ward II said the increase was necessary. “If we want to continue to have water flowing, we have to be willing to pay for it,” she said.
The Utility Services Department serves about 85,000 accounts in Henderson.
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And what exactly are they using the increase for? Maybe it's just me but I would think that a good reporter would find out the facts and report them.
lets see,my water bill was $18 last month and i think i pay 28 quarterly for sewer.that would put me at say $27 per month.alot cheaper then "hooterville" on average.and my water bill was high this month.its usually around 12 dollars.
Why is Boutin the only one with any common sense. At least she is sticking up for us. How about some pay cuts for the overpaid administration at the water authority.
We need more elected officials to stand up for the citizens and stop this lunacy of continuing to tax and raise our fees until we will all be in foreclosure.
Would be curious as to what the ultimate long term financial plan. The piece mentions the planned increases for two out-years, but is there any plan to stabilize costs to consumers?
Thanks,
http://www.stepwiseadvisors.com/
umcmaniac,
According to Porter, the rate increase is to keep up with maintenance and operating costs within the department. He is quoted, saying: "the increase is necessary to maintain the quality of services and quality of water the department supplies to Henderson."
I hope this answers your question.
Best,
Erin
It is interesting to note that the Las Vegas Sun reported on Sept. 17, 2009 that the Southern Nevada Water Authority approved a rate increase to it's subscribers to 'maintain its bond rating.'
Increase in water rates over two years gets OK
The Southern Nevada Water Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously today to raise water rates over the next two years.
The change will increase the cost of water to municipalities by about 3.2 percent in the first year, SNWA spokesman J.C. Davis said.
The effect on consumers is less clear because the municipalities have not yet decided if or how to pass that increase on.
Water authority staff requested the increase as part of a larger attempt to sustain funds in its capital improvement accounts and maintain its bond rating.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/sep...