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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, January 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 11, 2003 Central Point considers water rate change By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT � Faced with increased maintenance and improvement costs for the city’s water system, council members will consider restructuring water rates for the first time since 1996. The issue will be discussed at 7 p.m. today in the council chambers at 155 S. Second St.; a decision is not expected until a later date. Public Works Director Bob Pierce said proposed changes could result in some residents having lower water costs, while others would see an increase. Currently, residential city water users pay a base monthly rate of $13.03 for the first 667 cubic feet of water used (4,989 gallons) and $1.12 per 100 cubic feet thereafter. Changes proposed would reduce the base monthly fee to $2.94 for meter servicing but would not include water. Each 100 cubic feet of water (748 gallons) used would cost $1.47. Advertisement Pierce said the average monthly bill for a family of about three would increase from about $29 to $32 if changes are approved. "What we are proposing is that each individual pay a minimum cost in addition to the amount they actually use," explained Pierce. "The big thing about this is that it puts the individual water user in control of their bill. If they’re out of town for a month, and use no water, their bill is going to be $2.94. On the other hand, if 10 people are living in the house and each person uses a bunch of water, they’re going to have a high water bill." Pierce said changes were being considered because the city had opted not to pass on to customers an annual 3 percent increase in operating expenses and a 4 percent increase for water by the Medford Water Commission, which serves Central Point. Not passing along these cost increases has put a pinch on funding available to keep systems up to par, Pierce said. "We still have water systems with four-inch cast iron water lines ready to go south on us. We have no choice but to increase rates, but we also want to encourage conservation at the same time," he said. "Our intention is to allow people to determine how much they want to pay for water from point zero." Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times