One of our City's most important functions is providing residents with drinking water. The city's water utilities are designed to be financially self-sustaining, with expenses covered solely by revenues generated by the utility. However, without a change, expenses are now anticipated to exceed revenues due to several factors. To maintain our water utility's sustainability, there will be increases in water and secondary water rates. 

Rising costs: In the last few years, infrastructure costs for water have risen almost three times as fast as standard inflation. As our city grows, so do our infrastructure needs and the costs that come with them, and they're not cheap. We not only need to maintain but add to our system to keep the water flowing. 

Immediate action: If we don't make changes, we will run out of funds for water operations within about a year. That's why we are adjusting water prices to cover costs and ensure reliable service. However, the increase won't occur until October 1st. 

Quality upgrade: Some good news! We're investing in better water quality by tapping more into sources from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. But the higher quality comes at a cost—about $500,000 more annually to the City, which is factored into a quarter of the rate increase. 

Another bit of good news: Within a few months, we will roll out a new tool that will allow residents to log into an online dashboard to monitor water use at your home in real time. You'll be able to find and eliminate water overuse and help keep your bill down as much as possible. 

We understand the burden and frustration of increased costs. We are all feeling it in almost every aspect of our lives. We also know this comes shortly after a property tax increase was approved for law enforcement last year (in addition to increases by other non-City entities). Decisions that impact our residents so directly are not made lightly. But this is necessary to ensure we can sustain the vital service of delivering water to you. 

Water rate increases:

• Oct. 1, 2024: 16.3%
• July 1, 2025: 13.0%
• July 1, 2026: 13.0%
• July 1, 2027: 7.0%
• July 1, 2028: 3.0%

Staff report and presentation slides