Sheep Creek Water Company customers picking up their bill with a print date of 1/31/2023 will notice a letter tucked in their bill with a water rate increase that goes into effect immediately, for water usage after February 1, 2023. The new rates are as follows:
Monthly Base Rate: $65.50, a $5.50 increase per month
Tier 1 Rate: $.55/hcf, an increase of $.05/hcf
Tier 2 Rate: $4.50/hcf an increase of $1.04/hcf
Tier 3 Rate: $10.00/hcf, an increase of $1.68/hcf
Interesting to note, this rate increase was not voted on by the Board of Directors during a regular board meeting. I’m not sure when the decision was made to increase rates or who made the decision, but I am concerned that these decisions are being kept secret from shareholders and customers, and not officially voted on by the Board of Directors or recorded in the official minutes of their meetings.
The letter also mentions that new meters sold by Sheep Creek Water Company must become active within six months. After six months inactive meters will pay 50% of the monthly base rate. This does not apply to inactive meters sold before the moratorium was in place. The Board of Directors did vote during November 15, 2022 board meeting on this policy change.
Not mentioned in the letter, all customers purchasing new meters will have to pay for installation costs (including labor). Previous installation costs were included in the purchase price. I was informed the installation costs for a new meter average around $3000. The Board of Directors did not vote on this policy during a regular board meeting.