TN Correspondent
By Myrna Trauntvein
A water rate study to be completed by RCAC (Rural Community Assistance Corporation) will help council members decide what the fee should be for Mona water rates.
“I recommend that you go with RCAC,” said Shay Morrison, city advisor. “RCAC provides environmental assistance to small municipal and nonprofit water systems, wastewater systems and solid waste management programs in 11 western states,” said Morrison.
Jay Mecham, council member, said he had talked to Elk Ridge and found out that they charge $62 for a base rate.
“That is pretty expensive,” said Mecham.
Some cities, like Orem, use a tiered system.
Founded in 1978, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their work includes environmental infrastructure (water, wastewater and solid waste facilities); affordable housing development; economic and leadership development; and community development finance.
“Nephi City has used RCAC,” said Morrison. “They will do the work for free.”
He said that the city should still continue with the $3 yearly increase they had implemented earlier.
“I recommend that you do that,” Morrison said.
Randy Christensen, mayor, said the city had two more years but had discontinued that when the city had determined that they needed to raise the water rates.
The council had been studying the best way to go about raising rates while still being understanding of those who were on fixed incomes. They had considered a tiered system that would have a reasonable base rate.
Morrison suggested that the council reinstate the $3 annual raise. It will take three to six months for RCAC to complete the study.
Amy Stanley, council member, made the motion to approve using RCAC to complete a water rate study for the community. Jay Christensen, council member, made the second and all voted in favor.
According to Forbes, Alaska has the highest monthly utility bills in the nation; Utah has low energy prices, low property taxes and the lowest monthly utilities in the U.S.
According to Forbes figures, Americans pay an average of $429.33 per month for their utility bills which includes electric, natural gas, water, sewer, trash, cable TV, internet, phone, security and recycling.
“We need to raise our water rates if we want to get grants,” said Mecham.
Utah S.B. 28, Water System Conservation Pricing was introduced in 2016 and requires water providers to establish providers to establish an increasing rate structure for culinary water with high end users being billed more and, thus helping conservation.
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