Showing posts with label Water Sewer Westminster Rates Fees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Water Sewer Westminster Rates Fees. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

The ever escalating cost of municipal water


The ever escalating cost of municipal water

I recently, December 30, 2018, ran across a post on Facebook about the cost of water. Apparently, after I did some more reading, the individual was a new homeowner, and they wanted to do a compare and contrast with the water bills from other folks in the area.

The post got a great deal of attention – and actually, considering it was Facebook, many very thoughtful responses.

Many folks either posted a snapshot of their water bill or reported on the cost of a recent water bill, in a reply and then identified how many folks were in the family. I wrote, “Two adults and one imaginary friend: $119.23... We try to conserve water – but we are not frenzied about it.”

Sadly, the cost of water is only going to continue to go up. It’s off the hook. And there is little that local officials can do about it. I wrote an article about the spiraling costs not too long ago. Find it here: https://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/features/cc-lt-dayhoff-090918-story.html 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1435406516739562/permalink/2295218654091673/ 

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Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun
Westminster Fire Dept. and MTA Lodge #20 Chaplain and PIO
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Residents say new rates give them a sinking feeling by K Jones


Westminster residents say new water, sewer rates give them a sinking feeling

Council, mayor urged to reconsider timing of implementing both rate structures

By Katie V. Jones Posted http://explorecarroll.com/ 3/24/09

Too much, too soon.

Westminster residents told the city’s mayor and Common Council at a public hearing Monday that they will be flooded with high bills if the proposed new water and sewer rates are in place all at once.

Water and sewer users — both in and out of city limits — said that the rates should be phased in gradually over time, even if that meant there would be a deficit down the road causing higher rates as the council warned.

[…]

Many people in attendance also argued that the average use of 18,000 gallons of water per household, per quarter was beyond reality, and that the rate structure should be based on a higher average such as 22,500 gallons.

Landlords requested that apartment dwellers be given the benefit of residential rates, too, though the main pipes to their buildings are deemed commercial, placing it in a higher rate category.

Others argued for equal rates between city and non-city residents on the water and sewer system.

[…]

Public comment will be accepted on the proposed rates until March 31.

If approved by the council, the structure would be phased in over two years starting July 1 and then again on July 1, 2010.

[…]

In addition to the hearing, written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. Call the city office at 410-848-9000 for details on how to submit comments via mail and e-mail. Upon the council's approval, the rate structure will be phased in starting July 1.

[…]


Read Ms. Jones’ entire article here: Westminster residents say new water, sewer rates give them a sinking feeling

20090324 Residents say new rates give them a sinking feeling by K Jones
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

City of Westminster Water Rate Increase press release


City of Westminster Water Rate Increase press release

Press Release
Contact: Kelley Martin
Phone: (410) 848-4363 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Water Rate Increase for City

City of Westminster
56 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone (410) 848-9000
Fax (410) 848-7476

The City of Westminster has released the results of the Water and Sewer Rate Structure Study completed by the Municipal and Financial Services Group. The study recommends an increase in both water and sewer rates to be phased in over a two-year period with increases beginning July 1, 2009.

The last rate study performed by the City was completed in the 1970s and contained no less than 19 different categories of use, each with separate rates for water and sewer. However, even this complex rate structure was unable to produce enough revenue to cover the cost of operating the water and sewer system.

Mayor Thomas Ferguson indicated that the new rate structure had to meet the following criteria:

simplify the current rate structure,
design a rate structure to encourage water conservation,
comply with current industry standards in the development of a utility basis method for the calculation of rates;
and recognize that the system includes both users inside and outside the City.

After a competitive bid process, the Municipal and Financial Services Group was selected to develop the rate structure model. This firm has extensive experience throughout the United States.

“The basic rate structure divides users into categories based on meter size, inside the City or outside the City, and establishes a fixed fee based on the size of the meter used. If the customer uses 18,000 gallons or less per quarter, which is the average national quarterly usage, a nominal fee is charged for each 1,000 gallons used. A premium fee is charged if the use is over 18,000 gallons.

This new system gives customers the opportunity to control their costs through the use of their water resources,” commented Dr. Robert Wack, Council Finance Committee member.

“The City of Westminster operates the water and sewer funds as enterprise funds—which must be supported by the fees and charges collected from water customers—not general tax revenues.

We follow the same Public Service Commission guidelines which apply to other utilities like the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission,” stated Marge Wolf, City Administrator.

Having a major impact on both the water and sewer systems are the mandated upgrades required to meet the more stringent health and safety standards imposed by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Among these capital projects are the $11M new Cranberry Water Treatment Plant and the $4.5M Medford Quarry Pipeline allowing the Quarry to be used as an emergency water source under severe drought conditions.

While low interest loans are available from MDE for these capital projects, the debt service must be provided by the users of the system.

To help our customers determine how these new rates will impact on their individual water bills, the City will establish a Water and Sewer Bill calculator on our web site—www.westgov.com—effective March 1, 2009.

You will need your latest water bill and will use the information on that bill to fill in the yellow boxes on the calculator, click on return and the new rates will automatically be calculated for you. If you do not have access to a computer, you may visit the Westminster Branch of the library and they will assist you in calculating the rate.

“The Common Council and I know that this is not a welcome rate increase given the current economic situation but we are required to operate the water and sewer systems in a manner which ensures the health and safety of our system users. We are phasing in the increase over an extended period of time to cushion the impact,” Mayor Ferguson said.

“We will hold a public hearing on this rate increase on March 23rd at the John Street Headquarters of the Fire Department. Written comments will be received until 5:00 p.m. March 31, 2009. The rate structure model in its entirety is available for review at City Hall and at the City Administrative Offices at 56 West Main Street.”

-End-

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Westminster Mayor and Council agenda for Monday February 23, 2009

Westminster Mayor and Council agenda for Monday February 23, 2009

February 24, 2009: Last night’s Westminster mayor and common council meeting agenda

Home >> City Government

City Council

City Council Members Minutes of City Council Meetings

AGENDA

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of February 23, 2009

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 9, 2009

3. CONSENT CALENDAR:

January Departmental Operating Reports

4. BIDS:

Purchase of Solid Waste Containers – Thomas Beyard

Playground Equipment for King Park – Ron Schroers

5. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

6. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

7. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Adoption of Ordinance No. 796 – Repeal and Re-enactment of Chapter 20 – “Fiscal Matters” – Marge Wolf

Adoption of Ordinance No. 797 – Amendment of Chapter No. 143-2 – Extension of Deadline for Tax Levy – Marge Wolf

Resolution No. R09-1 – Adoption of Amended and Restated 457(b) Governmental Plan – Roland Unger

Introduction of Ordinance No. 800 – Amendment of Water and Sewer Chapters Regarding Rates

Introduction of Ordinance No. 801 – Amendment to Utility Fee Ordinance Regarding Water and Sewer Rates

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of February 19, 2009

9. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Introduction of Revised Capital Improvement Program for F.Y. 2009 – 2014 – Thomas Beyard

10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

11. CITIZEN COMMENTS

12. ADJOURN

20090223 Westminster Mayor and Council agenda
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/