City orders utility rate study

Residents will see some changes in their city utility rates in the future.

Last night, the Green River City Council approved a city-wide rate study, which is expected to start at the end of April.

The study will determine what future water, garbage and sewer rates will be for the city. The study will be carried out by NewGen Strategies and Solutions for the amount of $48,330.

The city chose NewGen Strategies and Solutions out of six other proposals for the job of the study because the group has the correct area of expertise for the city of Green River’s future endeavors. The group’s price proposal was also the second lowest in the selection. The fiscal impact of the study will be less than the budgeted amount of $60,000.

The group also showed expertise in both the solid waste and recycling elements, as well as in water and waste-water, which the city has future plans for.

According to a statement in the city council agenda, the reason for a utility rate study is because staff see a need for the city’s current billing philosophy and rate structures to be reviewed. The need for review is due in large part, to the city’s upcoming plans in the water and waste departments. These plans include the construction of the solid waste transfer station, and further down the line is a new wastewater plant, as well as other plans that will develop from those projects.

The city’s finance director, Chris Meats, said the study that will take place is more planning than a study. The city is hiring experts in the field to help the city develop the best long term plan for the city’s water, waste and sewer. One aspect of the study is a 10-year plan for the city. With a longer-term plan in place, it will help the residents know what is coming down the road, Meats said. The city will be able to better plan for long-term rates and changes.

“The city’s current rate plan is very short term,” Meats said.

The experts in the fields, Meats said will help bring Green River’s city rate philosophies up-to-date with other cities around the country. Many of the city’s current rate plans are out-of-date.

“Green River always tries to be on the cutting edge,” he said. “This study will put everyone on the same page with utility rates.”

Meats said it is hard to determine how the study will change how city’s rates will change, “but they will change in some fashion.”