Fort Collins residents could see higher utility bills in 2018

Fort Collins residents and businesses could see utility bills increase in 2018 as the city adjusts rates to cover the cost of providing electrical and water services.

The City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to consider proposed utility rates that would add about $3.70 — or 2.2 percent — to the typical monthly residential bill, according to city staff.

Charges for electrical service would increase 1.8 percent, with most of the adjustment intended to cover increases in the wholesale price of electricity from Platte River Power Authority.

Council also will be asked to approve details of implementing a time-of-use, or TOU, rate structure for electrical service. City staff members recommend starting TOU rates, which would be higher during times of peak energy demand, in October.

Water rates would go up an average of 5 percent. Rate increases would vary depending on rate class, with commercial customers paying 6.6 percent more.

Rate hikes for wastewater service would average 3 percent, with the increases ranging from 1.5 percent for single-family residences to 5.4 percent for multifamily developments.

No rate increases are requested for the city’s Stormwater Utility, which saw a 5 percent increase in 2017.

MORE: Loveland playing catch-up with water rates

Council also is scheduled to consider appropriation ordinances for the 2018 budget, which totals about $612 million.

In response to lower-than-projected sales tax revenue in 2017, city staff members have proposed reducing spending from the original 2018 budget by about $2.7 million.

Decreases include $900,000 from the Street Maintenance Program and $371,000 from Police Services.

At the same time, $3.7 million would be added to the overall budget, primarily using reserves to cover one-time expenses.

Projects recommended for funding include $1.2 million for neighborhood park development, $750,000 for parking technology upgrades, $115,000 to reserve space in the Larimer County Jail for violators of municipal code, and $130,000 to clean up transient camps in parks and natural areas.

Second reading of budget and utility rate ordinances is scheduled for Nov. 21.

Also on the agenda

The Fort Collins City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at city hall, 300 Laporte Ave. The meeting will be broadcast on cable channels 14 and 881. Items on the agenda include:

• Appropriating $1.4 million in reserve funds to a project that would eventually realign Lemay Avenue and its intersection with Vine Drive.
• A proposal to waive $352,319 in development fees for the Village on Horsetooth, an affordable housing project supported by Housing Catalyst, formerly known as the Fort Collins Housing Authority.