EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Thousands of customers in El Paso County\u2019s East Montana Water System are still waiting to learn whether their monthly bills will increase, after county commissioners delayed a vote three times while raising broader questions about the system\u2019s long-term costs and ownership.<\/p>\n
The proposal would raise water rates by 10 percent and sewer rates by 5 percent for the county-owned system.<\/p>\n
For a typical customer receiving both services, the estimated monthly bill would rise from $134 to $144. <\/p>\n
RELATED: El Paso County commissioners weigh East Montana Water System rate hikes<\/a><\/p>\n Under longer-term forecasts presented to commissioners, the average combined bill could eventually approach $200 a month.<\/p>\n El Paso County Commissioner Jackie Butler said the county court\u2019s concerns go beyond this year\u2019s proposed increase, after commissioners were shown projections that included a 10 percent increase for the next fiscal year followed by 10 percent increases for the next five years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were presented with a forecast of increases, totaling 10% for this next fiscal year and then 10% increases for the next five years thereafter,\u201d Butler said. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I think that when we saw that presentation, I personally had a lot of questions about the sustainability of those types of increases.\u201d<\/p>\n County officials have said rising wholesale water costs, aging infrastructure and a $6 million water-tank project are driving the request. <\/p>\n While the future forecasts are not part of the final vote, Butler said they raised questions about whether customers could afford continued increases.<\/p>\n \u201cJust raising rates year after year could potentially price people out of having running water in their homes,\u201d Butler said. \u201cAnd we don\u2019t want to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Butler said the system serves about 12,000 customers, including communities that have historically lacked water and wastewater infrastructure. <\/p>\n RELATED: El Paso County commissioners pause East Montana water rate hike proposal<\/a><\/p>\n She said she is still trying to determine the system\u2019s limits and whether a smaller increase could cover costs.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m trying to understand: Do we actually need a 10% increase? Could it be lower? Could it be zero this year if we could afford it?\u201d Butler said. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd make sure that we\u2019re doing everything we can to avoid increasing rates for people this year and moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Commissioners are also exploring whether a different ownership structure or a new partnership with El Paso Water could lower costs. <\/p>\n El Paso Water already sells water to the county and operates and maintains much of the system, but Butler said questions remain about who owns and is responsible for different parts of the infrastructure and what would happen to existing grant funding.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of gray areas here that I think we\u2019re still trying to get more clarity on and understanding,\u201d Butler said. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I think that until we\u2019re able to clearly define those lines, we won\u2019t know how to move forward in a partnership with El Paso Water.\u201d<\/p>\n Commissioners are expected to take up the proposal again on Monday, Sept. 21. <\/p>\n If approved, the new rates would go into effect starting Oct. 1.<\/p>\n RELATED: El Paso County commissioners weigh East Montana Water System rate hike after delay<\/a><\/p>\n