Most land owners have now received by mail their 3rd quarter water meter billing and some are quite high. Do this:

Add all bills received this year and add the amount of the first bill of the year AGAIN into the total. That will be a reasonably accurate forecast of your total usage charges.

Then subtract $307 that was on tax bill  (2010) but is NOT any more. Once you have done that you know the increase for 2011. It has been pointed out that the credit should be $339 as that would have been the flat rate charge for 2011)

Then assess the user pay system – the more you use the more you pay. There are two ways the water utility levels the playing field. All consumers – whether in an apartment with no grass or a large piece of property with a pool pay a common charge.

All taxpayers pay for a parcel tax on the tax bill of $110 and all consumers pay for their meters.

Then its up to you to conserve water. The water utility is revenue neutral – which means it collects what it needs to pay for the system. Ask yourself this question – should people who use a small amount of water subsidize those that are consuming too much? Should small homes pay for the luxury of bigger homes?

When you make a decision you weigh the facts and decide on merits. Unfortunately sometimes we really get emotional about what we see without exploring the logic.

On another note explaining complex issues is an art form. I hope I helped. You may disagree with the decision makers but they represent you and act on your behalf. Here are some options that could happen:

1. Higher parcel tax to pay for system – and a lower water usage rate

2. Flat tax with metering to give information to the system on abuse. Flat rate system would determine classes of users and then apply a fee for the class: apartments, condo, homes with no lawn, residence, residence with pool, extra fees for extra spaced lots etc. Business classes as well based on water use.

In a user pay system with no profit – just revenue neutral – you will still have to pay the bills.

A last note: this new system has not finished its first year. On Monday at a televised council meeting – the public should hear a projection from staff on the total amount of revenue for water this year. Should be interesting. You can attend or watch on Ch. 18.