Bountiful likely to see rate hikes

BOUNTIFUL — Bountiful residents can expect to begin paying more for water, power and storm drains this year.

The Bountiful City Council on Tuesday received the mayor's proposed budget of $60,431,161 that includes fee increases that take effect July 1.

No property taxes are planned for fiscal 2008-09, but the fee increases will cost about $11 per month for the average house.

Although the fee for water will increase about 30 percent, water rates will still be among the lowest in Davis County, said Bountiful City Manager Tom Hardy.

The new revenue — about $700,000 — will be used to build new water mains.

A 10 percent increase in power rates for Bountiful Power and Light will make Bountiful power rates comparable to Rocky Mountain Power, Hardy said.

The rate increase is expected to generate $2.2 million in revenue for the fiscal year.

New revenue in the power department will be used for operations and maintenance at various power plants along the Wasatch Front.

The storm water fee increase of $1 per month is expected to generate $220,000 for storm drain improvements.

Hardy said the increases are necessary because of the following guiding principle:

"We will not defer maintenance of infrastructure," he said. "We will not do tomorrow what we need to do today."

City administrative services director Galen Rasmussen said the city also strives to follow a pay-as-you-go principle and to keep rates as low as possible for as long as possible.

City employees are expected to receive a 3.5 percent cost of living adjustment, and no new employees will be hired during the next year.

Residents may inspect the proposed budget at Bountiful City Hall, 790 S. 100 East in Bountiful, or online at www.bountifulutah.gov.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for June 10, and the council expects to adopt the final budget June 17.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com

Highlights of budget for fiscal 2009

General fund: $60,431,161

Property tax increase: none

Expected fee increases:

• Water — 30 percent

• Power —10 percent

• Storm water — $1

New employees: none

Employee raises: 3.5 percent

Capital projects: new water mains, storm drain improvements