WESTMINSTER : Council Winner Aims to Cut Water Charges

City councilwoman-elect Margie L. Rice says she will work to repeal a 5% utility tax imposed in 1986 and seek to lower water rates when she joins the council.

After two previous unsuccessful attempts, Rice, 65, emerged the top vote-getter among the three candidates who vied for two seats on the council in last week’s election.

“The taxpayers should have a relief,” said Rice, who used the repeal of the utility tax as the main issue of her campaign. “It’s been there for years. We were told it was only for a short period of time.”

Rice said she would also ask for a review of the water rates, which have been raised twice this year, including 72 cents in June that brought the monthly water bill of the average Westminster household to about $25.

Finance Director Brian Mayhew said the utility tax generates about $3.6 million a year, and the city would be hard-pressed to find another source of income if it is repealed.

“Any tax can be repealed; any water rate can be lowered,” Mayhew said. “It’s up to the policy-makers to make the decision. But how many cops do you want to get rid off? Where are you going to make the cuts?”

He said the water rate increases were necessary to help pay back an $8.5-million bond issued in July that was used to buy automatic meter readers, improve water wells and pay off debt.

Tony Lam, who finished second behind Rice in last week’s election, said that it would be difficult to repeal the utility tax and lower water rates because of the city’s “not-too-rosy financial situation.”

“It’s easier to talk than actually do something about it,” Lam said. “We should look for ways to cut cost and generate sales tax dollars.”

Councilman Craig Schweisinger failed to win reelection, finishing 281 votes behind Lam.

Mayor Charles V. Smith, who ran unopposed, won a fourth two-year term.