WESTMINSTER : City Water Rates May Rise Again

Water rates are likely to go up again as the City Council considers the city’s 1994-95 fiscal year budget.

A proposal to hike the water rates by 5.9% will go before the council today as part of a package of service cuts and fee increases intended to balance the city’s $25.5-million general fund budget.

If approved, water rates would increase by seven cents to $1.24 for every 748 gallons of water used, boosting the water bill of the average Westminster household to about $24 a month, officials said.

The water rates have increased every year for the last five years, triggering bitter political disputes, including a failed recall effort against three council members who supported rate increases in 1992.

Finance Director Brian Mayhew said the new round of increases is needed to provide for water purchases from the Metropolitan Water District, water-treatment expenses and repayment of funds borrowed to improve the water system.

Low-income households would not be affected by the rate increase if the council approves a plan to extend subsidies for households with incomes of $18,000 or less.

Currently, households earning $12,000 a year or less pay a reduced rate, about 82 cents for 748 gallons of water. That rate would not change significantly even if the increases are approved, Mayhew said.

In addition to the water rate increases, the council will consider a proposal to charge higher fees for city permits, inspections by code enforcement officials, and police responses to false alarms or disturbances.

Also, the council will consider eliminating 11 positions, including four in the Police Department and three in the Fire Department, that have been vacant for some time.

The cuts would save the city about $400,000 a year, officials said, enough to cover the expected shortfall in revenue this year.

But city officials said that since last year, the city has reduced its work force by about 6% and cannot afford to continue the cuts without lowering the level of services provided to residents.