Increased Revenue Will Fund Various Infrastructure Upgrades to Improve Water Quality and Distribution System Resiliency
The Garden City Park Water District would like to notify its customers that a rate adjustment will be implemented beginning the 4th billing quarter of 2019. The additional revenue will help the District pay for past, current and future infrastructure projects needed to ensure the health and safety of the water supply. The rate adjustment also means the District will remain within the two percent tax cap.
The District works continuously to provide residents of our community with the highest quality water at the lowest possible cost. The costs of running a water district continue to climb as we are met with increased operational challenges and more stringent testing parameters. We are always working to maximize efficiencies, identifying areas for cost savings while maintaining our unwavering commitment to the health and safety of our water supply and distribution system.
A thorough review of the present water rate structure and property taxes with respect to the fiscal needs of the District was conducted to determine the amount of revenue needed to make ends meet. In order to remain within the two percent tax cap and maintain a high level of service and reliability in regards to the critical drinking water infrastructure, an increase to water rates was necessary. Below, you will find a three year step program:
Year 1
Residential: 2019
- Minimum quarterly bill (up to 10 thousand gallons): New rate $14
- $1.90 per thousand gallons after initial 10 thousand gallons
Commercial: 2019
- Minimum quarterly bill (up to 20 thousand gallons): New rate $50
- $2.50 per thousand gallons after initial 20 thousand gallons
Year 2
Residential: 2020
- Minimum quarterly bill (up to 10 thousand gallons): New rate $16
- $2.20 per thousand gallons after initial 10 thousand gallons
Commercial: 2020
- Minimum quarterly bill (up to 20 thousand gallons): New rate $55
- $2.75 per thousand gallons after initial 20 thousand gallons
Year 3
Residential: 2021
- Minimum quarterly bill (up to 10 thousand gallons): New rate $18
- $2.50 per thousand gallons after initial 10 thousand gallons
Commercial: 2021
- Minimum quarterly bill (up to 10 thousand gallons): New rate $60
- $3.00 per thousand gallons after initial 20 thousand gallons
The new rate structure will take effect on the 4th quarter bill received by all customers. The following schedule shows when your increase will take effect:
- Accounts beginning with 01, 02, 03 and 04 will see increase on October, 2019 bill
- Accounts beginning with 05, 06, 07 and 08 will see increase on November, 2019 bill
- Accounts beginning with 09, 10, 11 and 12 will see increase on December, 2019 bill
We are always striving to cut costs where appropriate and maximize economies of scale, but the rising costs for infrastructure and operations are simply outpacing our ability to reduce spending. Maintaining old and building new infrastructure on top of the costs of each year is not cheap. However, we are thankful our residents understand these increasing challenges and continue to support our effort to supply the Garden City Park Water District community with a safe and reliable water system.
Sincerely,
Garden City Park Water/Fire District