Rate Increases

Our water company has filed for a 14+ percent rate increase. My first instinct might be, "That's outrageous! How can they raise rates that much?!"

#Ohwait! Setting – and raising – rates are part of what I do for a living.

Let's look at the details: The last rate increase went into effect 3-1/2 years ago. Costs have risen since then and will continue to go up. They also say they've made capital investments totaling $10.7 million and need to recover those costs from customers.

Water is free. Having it delivered to our taps isn't.

There's a Utilities Commission to ensure the basis for the increase is reasonable. And the public gets to weigh-in too.

Hopefully, they also have programs to help low-income families with their bills. Smaller, more regular, increases would be reasonable, too.

Outrageous? As Emily Litella would say, "#Nevermind." :-)