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Parker Water customers to see 4 percent increase
Parker Water customers will see a 4 percent increase in water rates next year.
By By: Chris Michlewicz
Parker Water customers will see a 4 percent increase in water rates next year.
The Parker Water and Sanitation District board of directors unanimously approved an increase in user fees at a meeting Oct. 28. The increase, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2005, will cover costs for the new water reclamation plant at South Parker Road and Woodman Way and two new wells on the Hess Ranch property east of town.
Jim Nikkel, project manager for the district, said the board looked at the increasing costs of operation, including the cost of electricity and chemicals used to treat the water, to make their decision on the rate hike.
He said Parker Water's rates are comparable to other metro area districts. The increase will affect all three tiers of users and new customers wanting water and sewer taps.
The board also approved a $72 million budget for 2005. Nikkel said debt service is a one of the larger expenditures for the year because the district is starting to pay back the loan for Ruetear-Hess Reservoir, which is under construction. The district borrowed $105 million from the Colorado Water Resource and Power Development Authority with an interest rate of 4.5 percent.
The Parker water district is expected to spend $35 million on construction projects on the reservoir, including the installation of a diversion dam on Cherry Creek.
The cost of electricity used to pump water from the deep aquifers will account for a large portion of the district's operating expenditures in 2005.
The district's revenue comes from several different avenues. About 800 new customers are expected to tap into the district's water supply next year. Tap fees will be increased by 4 percent and cost $2,505. The district will likely take in $7.4 million in user fees in 2005 after taking in $4.5 million last year, according to the annual budget report.
Contact Chris Michlewicz at cmichlewicz@ccnewspapers.net.
The Parker Water and Sanitation District board of directors unanimously approved an increase in user fees at a meeting Oct. 28. The increase, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2005, will cover costs for the new water reclamation plant at South Parker Road and Woodman Way and two new wells on the Hess Ranch property east of town.
Jim Nikkel, project manager for the district, said the board looked at the increasing costs of operation, including the cost of electricity and chemicals used to treat the water, to make their decision on the rate hike.
He said Parker Water's rates are comparable to other metro area districts. The increase will affect all three tiers of users and new customers wanting water and sewer taps.
The board also approved a $72 million budget for 2005. Nikkel said debt service is a one of the larger expenditures for the year because the district is starting to pay back the loan for Ruetear-Hess Reservoir, which is under construction. The district borrowed $105 million from the Colorado Water Resource and Power Development Authority with an interest rate of 4.5 percent.
The Parker water district is expected to spend $35 million on construction projects on the reservoir, including the installation of a diversion dam on Cherry Creek.
The cost of electricity used to pump water from the deep aquifers will account for a large portion of the district's operating expenditures in 2005.
The district's revenue comes from several different avenues. About 800 new customers are expected to tap into the district's water supply next year. Tap fees will be increased by 4 percent and cost $2,505. The district will likely take in $7.4 million in user fees in 2005 after taking in $4.5 million last year, according to the annual budget report.
Contact Chris Michlewicz at cmichlewicz@ccnewspapers.net.
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