New City Water Rates Debated at City Council
Author: mt43news staff reporter
New City Water Rates Debated at City Council
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Civility was the order of the night at City Council last week. Frustration was the undercurrent as a citizen aired his concerns about upcoming water use rates.
Townsend Laundromat owner Chase Ragen presented his case for what he called an unfair rate increase for his business. He pointed out that his rate went from $180 a month to $773. The city’s new water rate increase charges businesses with 2-inch water mains a higher rate than residential water users who pay for a less than 2-inch line, even though many are watering lawns in summer.
He maintained that his biggest issue was that he only had 22 days’ notice that his bill was rising by almost $600 on his clothes washing business. Previously City Council had implemented an incremental rate increase with the last increase this past December.
Ragen’s suggestion for making the new water bills fairer for both residents and businesses would be based on usage, not the size of the water main. “I recommend a pause on these monthly bills until the City can revisit its new water rate policy. Those of us who have water meters need to be charged by the number of gallons we use to have fair and equitable charges for each residence and business,” he concluded.
Other business owners who have been notified of a higher rate based on the size of water lines serving their businesses have insisted on having the lines remeasured. Reading Leaves owner Rachael Brug asked for a remeasuring and found her water main line was not 2 inches, but smaller. "The higher rate would have been very detrimental to our business," she said.
Ragen went on to present his operating the Laundromat as a “public service.” When he considered buying the building to enlarge his Farm Credit Service business, city clerk Colleen Ward convinced him to keep the washer/dryer business open for public use. “I built a business plan, got a loan, and put in all new equipment. Had I known the water rates would go up this much, I probably would not have opened the business,” he said.
He pleaded with the council to seriously consider his solution to hold off on charging such exorbitant rates until some kind of a compromise could be reached: “I have put a lot of time and effort into this proposal. I support you (the Council). I’m asking you to support me.”
After the discussion, Council member JB Howick said the water committee would have to revisit the bulk water rate discussion. No action was taken.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Laundromat owner Chase Ragen presents his case for City Council to revisit its new water rate hike.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
