EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso County residents served by the East Montana Water System will soon see higher water and sewer bills after county commissioners voted Tuesday to raise rates in an effort to keep the system from operating at a deficit.<\/p>\n
Commissioners approved a 6% water rate increase and a 5% sewer rate increase for the East Montana Water System. <\/p>\n
County officials said the increases would allow the system to break even.<\/p>\n
El Paso County Commissioner Jackie Butler, who represents the area and lives in Montana Vista, called it a difficult decision. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really tough vote for me. You know, I live out in Montana Vista, which is one of the largest areas serviced by the East Montana water system,\u201d Butler said.<\/p>\n
Butler said commissioners considered five options for the water increase \u2014 10%, 8%, 6%, 5% and 0% \u2014 with 10% originally proposed.<\/p>\n
County officials said the 6% allows them to break even.<\/p>\n
The 6% increase will take effect this fiscal year, with another 6% increase proposed for each of the next five years.<\/p>\n
Emily Schmalz reports on El Paso County approves East Montana water and sewer rate hikes after months of debate (Credit: KFOX)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: <\/a>El Paso County commissioners weigh East Montana Water System rate hike after delay<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe initial rate that we were asked to approve was 10%. So, I’m happy that we were able to get the 6%, which is, hopefully, significantly lower, not just this year, but in future years,\u201d Butler said.<\/p>\n Butler said the vote comes as El Paso Water, the county\u2019s wholesale water provider, increased its water rates by more than 15% this year. <\/p>\n She said the county also saw about a 12% increase in wastewater costs.<\/p>\n \u201cOur rates from El Paso Water Utilities increased just for water, over 15%,\u201d Butler said. <\/p>\n So that’s a significant increase that we’re trying to figure out how to make up.<\/p>\n Butler said the county must cover some of those higher costs to avoid a deficit, and that in the upcoming fiscal year the county will use some of its fund balance to help close the gap.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re really using our fund balance to balance that budget this year. We’re going to have to still pay those rates for the water. We’re not buying less water, and we’re not paying less for water,\u201d Butler said.<\/p>\n