Cutting your bills: Public to get some relief on sewer, water costs

The adage “What goes up must come down” never seems to apply to bills – especially those owed to government agencies. So imagine the surprise of Southern Nevada residents this week when not one, but two public entities announced plans to charge less.

First, the Clark County Water Reclamation District announced Tuesday that a 5.5 percent rate increase that took effect July 1 likely would be rolled back next year, and that county sewer customers could very well see an accompanying bill credit as well. That rate increase was authorized in 2008 to fund future construction projects. However, today the reclamation district has $530 million in reserve and plans for $547 million in capital improvements over the next five years. Deputy General Manager Tom Minwegen acknowledged that his agency doesn’t need more money.

While that relief would arrive next summer, businesses should get a break on their water bills come September. The Southern Nevada Water Authority Board, reacting to months of urgent complaints from companies that were hammered by a new infrastructure surcharge, decided Thursday to cut in half the fire line fees that sent bills soaring.

Once ratified by local water utilities, the cut should save those businesses hundreds of dollars per month while still giving the water authority enough money to finish its $800 million “third straw” intake at Lake Mead and pay down roughly $2.5 billion in construction debt.

In a state with a fragile economic recovery, every little increase in household and business expenses takes a bite out of the spending that supports jobs across all sectors. These pending cuts certainly represent good news to residents.

But what’s equally important here is the fact that our public stewards are paying attention to the concerns of constituents. The water bill increases, especially, were enough to break many businesses. Condominium complexes, churches and other entities complained about the increases as well.

To retain the public’s confidence, government must be responsive. The water reclamation district and the water authority met that expectation this week.