Ammon transitioning to water-metered billing
The city of Ammon is moving to water-metered billing.
Meters have been installed at homes and businesses in Ammon for quite some time, but now the city will be transitioning to actually using them.
The test period starts with the April billing. It is meant to give Ammon water customers a good idea of how much water they are using, so they can make any adjustments if they would like.
The first 7,000 gallons of water will be provided at a fixed rate of $30. Every thousand gallons more than that will be an additional $1.25.
Customers are not being charged during the test period and regular water rates apply during this time frame. Metered rates during this period are only being provided to allow customers to adjust their usage. A letter is being sent in customers bills.
The city will be hosting town meetings at city hall every second Wednesday at 7 p.m., starting May 9, as demand dictates.
Here are a few noteworthy highlights from Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti:
1. We have only approved the formula for the test period. The actual water metered rate after the test period has not been decided yet, and would ultimately have to happen after a public hearing.
2. The test period starts with the April billing, but the end is undetermined at this time.
3. The purpose of the test period will not only be for residents to understand their water usage and how it would equate to a metered rate (So they can make adjustments to their usage), but also for the city to understand how this will work. This will be a learning period for all of us.
4. The metered rate is for informational purposes only during the test period. The metered rate and the actual, current rate will both show on the bills during the test period, but only the actual, existing rate will be charged during the test period.
5. Once the council believes that there has been sufficient learning by the city and residents about using metered rates, it will act to implement a metered rate. The rate the council chooses may be the same as what is used during the test period, or it may be different, depending on the information gathered by the city during the test period.
6. Studies of Ammon’s water system have been done for several years, ending in a final draft study by Keller and Associates. It is very long, but the study is available for review at the city office. Other related water system documents can be found on the city website, including the formula used for the test period rate.
7. The town hall meetings will be every second Wednesday evening at the city building, as the need exists. The purpose of those meetings will be for residents to get good information and tips on how to reduce water use.
You can read the full letter from the city of Ammon below:
