EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — After a two-week delay, El Paso County commissioners could decide today whether thousands of Far East El Paso customers in the East Montana Water System will see higher water and sewer bills starting this fall.

The proposal is aimed at addressing aging infrastructure, rising water costs and bringing $6 million in repairs to a major water tank in the East Montana Water System.

County consultant Andrew Rheem said customers would still face an increase even without the tank project.

“If we didn’t have this big capital project and we were just looking at our legacy costs and the El Paso water adjustments, we would be looking at water rates are about a 9% increase instead of the 10,” Rheem said.

The water system is owned by the county, but El Paso Water provides treated water and handles much of its operation, maintenance and billing.

Under the proposal, water rates would increase 10% and sewer rates would increase 5%.

RELATED: El Paso County commissioners pause East Montana water rate hike proposal

For customers who receive both water and sewer service, the proposal would raise the typical monthly bill by about $10.

A vote was expected two weeks ago, but commissioners delayed action after a different version of the presentation was shown, giving the public and commissioners more time to review the proposal.

As of this morning, the expanded presentation did not appear to be included with today’s agenda.

Commissioners also asked for a closer look at what portion of the increase is tied to El Paso Water, capital projects and other costs, and whether the county should revisit the possibility of El Paso Water taking over the system.

“I think it’s time to maybe have these conversations again with El Paso Water. I think it is much less expensive for them to manage this water system than it is for us to manage this water system,” Commissioner Iliana Holguin said.

If approved, the increase would go into effect starting Oct. 1.

KFOX14 has contacted the county for more information about the missing presentation.

RELATED: El Paso County commissioners weigh East Montana Water System rate hikes

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