Pocatello considers new utility rates
Pocatello utility costs could be going down if the city council approves a new rate schedule Thursday.
Because of a November 15, 2013 decision by District Judge Stephen S. Dunn, the rate reductions will apply to city sanitation, water and water pollution control.
According to Mayor Brian Blad, the court decided Pocatello was imposing an impermissible tax by including a “payment in lieu of tax” fee transfer program in its utility rates. “We have recalculated our utility rates without the PILOT built in to comply with the Judge’s decision,” said Blad.
If approved by the city council, the reduced rates will take effect as of November 6, 2013 meter readings and will be reflected in customer billings that begin December 19, 2013.
