Response from Randy Riggs about high water bills : Madison: Water rates are a serious matter indeed. As the Utility Board of Directors the city commission must insure that: rates pay for all expenses; the utility meets and exceeds all State and Federal standards for water quality; the utility has a long-term water supply secured; the utility has an effective meter change-out program in place; the utility has a regular, effective water line repair and replacement system; utility revenues are available to invest in equipment for the utility; utility profits are available to pay the General Fund of the city (to reduce reliance on property tax); utility revenues pay debt service for previous projects, plus keep the mandated reserve amounts in the bank account. Setting water rates is an ongoing multi-year process that is always being monitored and fine-tuned. I have been told by others that there are two kinds of utilities... Those that recently increased rates and those that will be raising rates. Water supply and treatment is of primary importance in many local, regional and national conversations. This is no surprise as a city without quality water, in sufficient quantity, is not much of a city. Sincerely, Randy Riggs
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 01:52:19 +0000