by Evelyn Pyburn
While part of a proposed campaign to improve the image of the County Water District in Billings Heights has been approved, adopting a more extensive campaign will be discussed at the district’s next board meeting in May. The County Water Board also discussed, at its monthly board meeting, how to respond to a recent notice from the City of Billings about a proposed increase in the price of water.
The water district received a notice regarding the city’s completed rate study earlier this month, which proposes no increase in the price it charges the water district for water in fiscal year 2023-24, but anticipates an increase of 48.8 percent in 2025. The District Board discussed rejecting the proposal but struggled with a timeline needed to get data from the district’s rate consultant, within the 45-day time frame allowed in their long-standing contract with the city. The board hopes to get an extension from the city to the 45 days in which to reply.
The proposed price increase from the city reflects the cost of building the new $140 million water plant on Hesper Road in west Billings, which is expected to be on line by 2025. City rate payers have been paying in advance for its construction with incremental rate increases over the past couple of years. The City is not allowed to charge the District water prices that include advance capital costs so the County Water District will be hit with the costs all at one time.
Click HERE to Read Entire Story
Why are the Heights people paying for the west end water reservoir. The Heights water reservoir did not receive any help from the City of Billings.