EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A proposed water rate increase for customers in far East El Paso County has been put on hold after county commissioners raised concerns about affordability and the long-term costs of operating the East Montana Water System.
During a commissioners meeting held yesterday, commissioners voted to postpone a vote on the proposed increase following a presentation that county staff said included new information and answers that were not included in the public agenda backup before the meeting.
RELATED: El Paso County commissioners weigh East Montana Water System rate hikes
“I would agree with postponing it. I think there’s a lot of information that we just received that we didn’t have previously,” said Commissioner Iliana Holguin, who represents East El Paso and the Lower Valley.
Holguin also said she was not comfortable with the proposed increases.
“I don’t feel comfortable with the increases that are being proposed. I think the the the residents of El Paso County that can least afford these increases are the ones that are going to be paying for them,” she said.
The East Montana Water System is owned by El Paso County, but El Paso Water provides treated water and handles much of the system’s operation, maintenance and billing.
For customers who receive both water and sewer service, the proposal would raise the typical monthly bill from about $134 to $144.
County staff said rising El Paso Water charges, aging infrastructure and a proposed $6 million water tank are among the costs driving the request.
“Our aging infrastructure has not been addressed for many years either,” said Norma Palacios, executive director of public works for El Paso County.
“It’s not about adding bandaids anymore. It’s about major repairs to that tank.”
Commissioners are expected to take up the item again in two weeks.
RELATED: El Paso County considers water, sewage rate hike amid budget deficit
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.