Golden Utilities Rate Change
Consultation has concluded
Over the past several months, Golden has conducted a comprehensive rate study to look at how customers are charged for water, sewer and stormwater drainage services. As part of the rate study process, we invited a committee of local residents to help us evaluate our current system and provide feedback on proposed changes. The committee included members of the Planning Commission, the Citizens Budget Advisory Council, the Citizens Sustainability Advisory Board and community members at large. Together with the Utility Rate Citizen Committee, we have reviewed the existing utility rate structures, identified opportunities to modernize and improve how we charge for water, wastewater and stormwater services and evaluated recommendations to ensure they are fair, equitable and tied to the demands that different types of customers place on the system.
For more information about the committee’s work visit www.cityofgolden.net/URCC. We have posted the agendas, presentations, discussion summaries for all URCC meetings, and the committee’s final report so interested citizens can learn more.
A separate part of the rate study included the completion of a comprehensive financial analysis to evaluate how much revenue each utility needs and when it will be needed. The financial analysis created a financial plan for the next five years to determine how much money is needed to maintain, upgrade and/or expand the system. Rates are designed to ensure the utility has the money to meet these needs. Based on these financial analysis, staff is recommending a 6.2% increase in water rates, A 12% increase in drainage rates, and no change to sewer rates.
Engagement Level
- Inform: City provides timely information and updates to the community.
- Consult: Hear public feedback on relevant parts of a project, keep information updated so community can follow along.
- Involve: Work directly with the community throughout entire project to ensure feedback is considered and reflected in the planning process.
- Collaborate: City and community members at the table together to formulate plans and recommendations.
Who's listening
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Deputy Director / Water & Utilities
While we are talking about water, what about waste? Walking along the Kinney Run path I witness broken sprinklers flooding the grass, sprinklers watering the sidewalks, and sprinklers operating during rain storms. There's got to be a lot of waste there.
And what about the water storage tank that sits on the hill about Heritage Dells? That's been leaking like a sieve for 8 months. Why isn't that being repaired?
I'm not happy that the residential water rates are increasing via tiered rates but commercial and multi-family rates are decreasing with a flat rate. Shouldn't these other users be on a tier system as well in order to have an incentive to conserve? This has the appearance of favoritism to commercial interests. This seems to be pattern of Golden City catering to business at the expense of the average citizen.
I use between $1000 and 2000 gallons per month and only very rarely water outside. I have a xeriscape yard. It appears that the new rate scale rewards low water use, and will encourage conservation.
thank you for this approach.
Jan