RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) –Rio Rancho City Council is considering amending the water and wastewater rules and rates.
An ordinance that was introduced at Thursday’s City Council meeting would keep in place an annual 1.75% increase on water bills, which would increase the average customer’s bill by an estimated 94 cents per month.
The 1.75% adjustment will result in approximately $443,000 in additional revenue for the
Utilities Department, according to the city. However, the rate adjustment does not fully offset projected increases in operating costs such as electricity, which is projected to increase by 22% or $500,000, and chemicals, which is projected to increase by 7% or $73,500.
The increase would be in place until a study is completed on the wastewater utility system.
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City Council says the study will give them a more accurate multi-year water rate schedule. The study begins in October and currently does not have a completion date.
In 2019, City Council passed a 5-year rate schedule, that locked in the 1.75% annual increase. That rate schedule expires at the end of June.
The first reading of the ordinance was approved by the City Council on Thursday. If the ordinance passes the second reading, it will go into effect on July 1.
