WESTMINSTER : Water Rate Increase to Get Second Look

Following months of public outcry against the city’s water rate increase, the City Council tonight will review its controversial decision to double the cost of water.

The March rate increase recently triggered recall drives against Mayor Charles V. Smith and Councilmen Craig Schweisinger and Frank Fry Jr., who, despite intense pressure from some residents’ groups, repeatedly reaffirmed the council’s decision and blocked proposals to reconsider it.

The councilmen contend the city could no longer afford to subsidize the water rate, which was the lowest in the county, and said that continuing to do so this year would force the city to cut more than $3 million from other services, including police and fire protection.

Councilwomen Joy L. Neugebauer and Lyn Gillespie have disputed that argument. Although they joined in the unanimous vote to approve the rate hike eight months ago, Neugebauer and Gillespie said they believed it called for a doubling of the rate only for consumers of large amounts of water.

The rate increase doubled the monthly price of water for everyone, from 63 cents to $1.26 per 748 gallons. Since it went into effect, Finance Director Brian Mayhew said the city still subsidizes water delivery by 18 cents per 748 gallons. Monthly bills have risen from $11.37 to $23.29 for the average family. The county average is $24.25.

Many residents said that although the rate doubled, their bills have increased as much as five times. City officials suggested that such increases are possibly due to billing errors resulting from a change in billing methods.

The decision to reconsider the rate structure came during the council’s meeting on Oct. 8, when Fry voted with Gillespie and Neugebauer to hold a public hearing. The hearing will begin shortly after the council meeting opens at 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center, 7571 Westminster Blvd.