City of Aurora Addressing Water Rate Issues
If you live in a community association that is serviced by Aurora Water, it's possible that you received water bills over the summer that were nothing short of shocking. What started out as a 12% across the board rate increase for Aurora Water customers, resulted in rate increases reported by some associations and customers as high as 50%, 70% and even 80%. The impact on the budgets of community associations and citizens receiving these monumental billings cannot be overstated. At a meeting held for HOAs and community association managers by Aurora Water on September 25th, Mayor Ed Tauer kicked the meeting off by making it clear that "they get and hear that the water rates were simply screwed-up." Mayor Tauer told the audience that while they cannot undue what happened in 2007, they are looking now at solutions to water rate issues for 2008.
Melissa Elliott, Public Relations Manager for Aurora Water, told attendees at the meeting that Aurora Water needs rate increases to pay for capital improvement projects and increased operating costs. She outlined several water rate issues affecting community associations including the impact on those associations with large lots and irrigation areas, problems for properties without separate irrigation meters, tiers for irrigation accounts that are priced higher, the difficulty that associations face in attempting to budget for water in 2008, water consumption in July that was up 20% and the use of covenants enforcement to gain compliance for those homeowners not watering.
The purpose of the meeting was to acknowledge the problems with 2007 water rates and to outline steps that Aurora Water is beginning to take to head-off similar problems in 2008. While an additional 12% across the board water rate increase is already slated to go into effect January 1st, a new rate structure currently under development will also go into effect in 2008. Focus groups and meetings to gather input from HOAs and managers will be conducted as well as other customer research to assist in the development of the new rate structure for 2008. We strongly encourage those associations that are customers of Aurora Water to get involved in the focus groups and meetings so that you can provide information on how possible rate structures would affect your associations. To learn more about getting involved, contact Melissa Elliott via email at melliott@auroragov.org or by phone at 303-739-7081.
The timeline, as outlined by Aurora Water, for the process of developing the new rate structure for 2008 is as follows:
October - Develop rate options
November/December - Focus groups and customer research
How do rates impact each customer?
December/January - Citizens Water Advisory Committee Meetings, Water Policy Committee Meetings, City Council Meetings - all meetings are open to the public
January/February - City Council approval process
Spring 2008 - Rate Ordinance in place
While Aurora Water is unable to provide HOAs with the information they need at this time to budget for anticipated 2008 water costs, they did note that the new water rate structure will be in place prior to irrigation season.
So what can your association do now to deal with water rates? Here are some of the steps Aurora Water suggests HOAs take:
1. Water Conservation Programs. Contact Aurora water to schedule a free irrigation audit. Also, xeriscape grants and rebates are available.
2. Visit from Aurora Water. Aurora Water would like to visit your HOA to talk with residents about water rate issues. Please call Aurora water to set up such a visit.
3. Consider Budget Billing. Talk with Aurora Water about spreading your water bills throughout the year.
4. Payment Plans. If you received a high water bill that you cannot pay, contact Aurora Water to see if you can work out a payment plan.
For questions regarding water conservation bills, contact Melissa Elliott via email at melliott@auroragov.org or by phone at 303-739-7081. For questions about your account, contact Greg Baird via email at gbarid@auroragov.org or by phone at 303-739-7320.
Melissa Elliott, Public Relations Manager for Aurora Water, told attendees at the meeting that Aurora Water needs rate increases to pay for capital improvement projects and increased operating costs. She outlined several water rate issues affecting community associations including the impact on those associations with large lots and irrigation areas, problems for properties without separate irrigation meters, tiers for irrigation accounts that are priced higher, the difficulty that associations face in attempting to budget for water in 2008, water consumption in July that was up 20% and the use of covenants enforcement to gain compliance for those homeowners not watering.
The purpose of the meeting was to acknowledge the problems with 2007 water rates and to outline steps that Aurora Water is beginning to take to head-off similar problems in 2008. While an additional 12% across the board water rate increase is already slated to go into effect January 1st, a new rate structure currently under development will also go into effect in 2008. Focus groups and meetings to gather input from HOAs and managers will be conducted as well as other customer research to assist in the development of the new rate structure for 2008. We strongly encourage those associations that are customers of Aurora Water to get involved in the focus groups and meetings so that you can provide information on how possible rate structures would affect your associations. To learn more about getting involved, contact Melissa Elliott via email at melliott@auroragov.org or by phone at 303-739-7081.
The timeline, as outlined by Aurora Water, for the process of developing the new rate structure for 2008 is as follows:
October - Develop rate options
November/December - Focus groups and customer research
How do rates impact each customer?
December/January - Citizens Water Advisory Committee Meetings, Water Policy Committee Meetings, City Council Meetings - all meetings are open to the public
January/February - City Council approval process
Spring 2008 - Rate Ordinance in place
While Aurora Water is unable to provide HOAs with the information they need at this time to budget for anticipated 2008 water costs, they did note that the new water rate structure will be in place prior to irrigation season.
So what can your association do now to deal with water rates? Here are some of the steps Aurora Water suggests HOAs take:
1. Water Conservation Programs. Contact Aurora water to schedule a free irrigation audit. Also, xeriscape grants and rebates are available.
2. Visit from Aurora Water. Aurora Water would like to visit your HOA to talk with residents about water rate issues. Please call Aurora water to set up such a visit.
3. Consider Budget Billing. Talk with Aurora Water about spreading your water bills throughout the year.
4. Payment Plans. If you received a high water bill that you cannot pay, contact Aurora Water to see if you can work out a payment plan.
For questions regarding water conservation bills, contact Melissa Elliott via email at melliott@auroragov.org or by phone at 303-739-7081. For questions about your account, contact Greg Baird via email at gbarid@auroragov.org or by phone at 303-739-7320.
