MONTE VISTA – A new street lighting fee has been included in the city of Monte Vista’s plans.

This is included in Resolution 1-2010, along with water and other rate increases to cover the costs of maintenance, according to the resolution approved by the City Council on Jan. 21.



Water rates

Due to the costs for thawing and repair of water lines, the city of Monte Vista is amending the current water rate structure.



Sewer rates

The City reported that wastewater revenues have decreased by approximately 8.8 percent compared with 2008, and the city anticipates a decline in water usage and wastewater fee revenue.

The city said in the resolution,“Increases in costs have also resulted from capital requirements, maintenance of equipment and rising business costs. Projections indicate that sewer operations will operate in a deficit without an amended rate structure.”



Storm drain maintenance

The current storm drain base fee is $.50 charged to each account within the city limits, a fee adopted back in 2001 and which was supposed to increase each year by the same percentage as the cost of living increase applied to city personnel, however, according to city records, the increase was never implemented.



Pest control

A monthly pest control fee runs around $3.25 per customer, which covers pest control and code enforcement, and the City is proposing a $.15 fee increase.



New street lighting fee

Residents would pay a new $3 fee, per month, added to their statements, “for all ‘inside-city’ residents,” which the city anticipates will raise $67,000 in revenue to “offset the costs to provide street lighting.”

The Resolution states that the current cost of street lighting, to the city, is $66,000 per year.

The new proposed fees and rates are scheduled to commence this month.





For the complete article see the 02-03-2010 issue.

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