Do you know if they are assuming water use will stay the same for homeowners even with the higher charges? As an HOA that pays the highest tier for water, we are using significantly less water now than we have in the past, and as water rates continue to climb, we will absolutely not raise dues 21% (realistically, our water budget is half of our budget, so we'd have to raise dues 11% this year and 10% next year) to keep pace with the city. Instead, we will make hard decisions as to what to water and even allow areas to die before raising dues that much.
I believe individual households, too, will lower water consumption rather than blindly pay for these increases, which will mean that by raising rates, all the city is doing is keeping their income the same on water, which will still not pay off those debts.
Also, if we have another rainy spring this year as we did last year, the city's income from water will be decreased even more.
I'm curious if those charts take into account the lesser water use that will be driven by these huge water rate increases.
So essentially, he is saying that by raising prices on homeowners and HOA's, we are subsidizing the water for new growth. There is no water savings in that plan.
Do you know if they are assuming water use will stay the same for homeowners even with the higher charges? As an HOA that pays the highest tier for water, we are using significantly less water now than we have in the past, and as water rates continue to climb, we will absolutely not raise dues 21% (realistically, our water budget is half of our budget, so we'd have to raise dues 11% this year and 10% next year) to keep pace with the city. Instead, we will make hard decisions as to what to water and even allow areas to die before raising dues that much.
I believe individual households, too, will lower water consumption rather than blindly pay for these increases, which will mean that by raising rates, all the city is doing is keeping their income the same on water, which will still not pay off those debts.
Also, if we have another rainy spring this year as we did last year, the city's income from water will be decreased even more.
I'm curious if those charts take into account the lesser water use that will be driven by these huge water rate increases.
Great questions and you are not the first to ask! I will follow up with staff asap and see what their thoughts are.
Thank you!
Answers from our public works director here: https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/diving-into-water-part-eight-you
So essentially, he is saying that by raising prices on homeowners and HOA's, we are subsidizing the water for new growth. There is no water savings in that plan.