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--> --> Talent water rates rising; it's about time A sudden increase in water rates for Talent residents in 2002 may be a surprise to some, but the signs pointing to higher bills have been apparent for years. The Talent City Council on Wednesday will be asked to adopt an emergency ordinance raising rates nearly 20 percent, this to manage the multi-million-dollar debt load for the Talent-Ashland-Phoenix water intertie project, and also to cover annual payments for water rights from Lost Creek Lake. The rationale behind the rate increase is undeniable, and it's about time someone in the city - namely City Attorney Bill Mansfield working with new City Administrator Betty Wheeler - said something. A 1998 report from Lee Engineering, Inc. on the TAP buildout clearly said a water rate exceeding $16 for the first 3,000 gallons was needed in Talent to cover the city's cost for its new water system. Since 1999, rates have increased incrementally, with a 12.5 percent hike approved just three months ago. Mansfield put his foot down last week, saying water rates - currently at $13 for the first 3,000 gallons - must match the Lee Engineering recommendation and rise to $16.14, effective immediately. The city attorney refused to sign a new water rights agreement with the U.S. government on behalf of the city until the new rate increase was in place. Mansfield said Talent must be financially capable to meet its water contracts with the City of Medford (TAP) and the U.S. government (Lost Creek Lake), and the city was far from that position even after February's $2 rate increase. As summer approaches and Talentonians begin to water their lawns and gardens, the new rate will take its toll. Average monthly water bills will rise dramatically from last summer, when the rate was a mere $11 for the first 3,000 gallons. But a new water rate is necessary if Talent expects to maintain its commitment to TAP and secure long-term water rights from Lost Creek Lake. Not acting now throws away the work city officials tried to accomplish during the four years of Talent's building moratorium, when TAP was being constructed. Mansfield is to be applauded for taking his hard line, and Wheeler - who has shaped up city government in Talent for the better since she arrived in March - deserves praise for joining the city attorney and calling for a hard decision at the council level. Councilors ignored the 1998 report from Lee Engineering and tried to ease into higher water rates over the past several years, but that failed. It's the council's turn now to swallow this bitter pill and take any heat. The payoff is knowing that Talent finally will have a water rate schedule to complement its new TAP system, and the city's water revenues will be solid to handle future, inevitable growth. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing