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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Developers donate 14 acres to Talent for open space ... Mail Tribune 100, Nov. 16,1915 ... Snow settles on passes as cold front hits Southern Oregon ... Developers donate 14 acres to Talent for open space ... Mail Tribune 100, Nov. 16,1915 ... Snow settles on passes as cold front hits Southern Oregon ... UTILITIES Talent water users may see rate bump Water users last saw a rate increase in 2002, and rates dropped in 2007 Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 13, 2015 at 2:33 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 13, 2015 at 2:33 PM » Social News Talent water users may see their rates return to those charged from 2002 to 2007, which would be higher than what they pay now. Water users last saw a rate increase in 2002. In 2007 water rates were cut back when the city took a comprehensive look at all fees it charged to utility users, including those for parks, public safety and streets. Wholesale rate increases have been approved by Medford Water Commission for other cities that purchase water from the commission. Those increases and system maintenance will add $30,000 annually to costs for the city’s water utility fund. Return to the 2002 rates would cover anticipated costs. “We are talking about a rate recovery, not an increase,” said Mayor Darby Stricker when City Council discussed the issue last week. Medford Water Commission's new rates include a 13.5 percent increase in the base meter charge, a 13.4 percent increase in the summer rate per 1,000 gallons and a 16.76 percent winter rate increase per 1,000 gallons. There’s also a $470 charge per month for a conservation project surcharge. Since 2006 the commission has raised rates six times. The base meter change has gone from $406.78 per month to $689.74 per month. Commission rate increases will help cover upgrades to the Duff Water Treatment Plant. Return to the 2002 rates would bring in about $114,000 in revenue for Talent's water utility fund. A total of $24,000 is needed annually to cover the increased wholesale water charge. Base rate for 3/4- and 5/8-inch meters would go from $12 per month to $16.14 and includes the first 3,000 gallons used. Rates for usage above 3,000 gallons would drop once cent per 1,000 gallons to $4.04. Higher charges for customers who use more water should be considered, Councilman Daniel Wise suggested. “This is the most water-conserving city of any customer of Medford Water Commission,” said City Manager Tom Corrigan. “Basically, we are operating under old rates. We need to bring in some money.” Councilman Ryan Pedersen said he would like any increase in rates phased in rather than seeing the full amount applied at one time. Additional water utility costs bedsides the MWC increases need to be funded. These include upgrades to a communication system and maintenance on the TAP water intertie shared with Phoenix and Ashland. Communication costs are estimated at $5,000, while Talent’s maintenance share for TAP is estimated at $95,000 over the next 10 years. Other charges that have appeared on utility bills over the years include assessments for public safety, parks, the library and streets. Residential utility users currently pay $3 for parks, $4 for a public safety surcharge and $3.92 for street fees monthly. “We have to look at the other fees we charge, as well,” said Stricker. “They haven’t been looked at since 2007. We just have not done anything with our other fees since 2007, and the system is beginning to see the cracks.” Council directed Denise Woodman, administrative services director, to prepare a proposal to phase in the increases and to incorporate higher rates for heavier users for further discussion. A public hearing would be held before increases would be put to a council vote. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 13, 2015 at 2:33 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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