BOULDER CITY – Record inflation in the double digits, combined with historic drought impacting hydropower availability and costs, led the Utility Advisory Committee and City Council to complete a rate study. Boulder City residential utilities customers will see a slight increase - about three percent – starting in October 2023.
The Utilities Department utilized utilities consulting firm Raftelis to complete a study. The last study was done in 2019, and while it is recommended a study be completed every three to five years, the decrease in power from Glen Canyon and Hoover Dam and changes to the energy market created the need for an earlier timeframe. The changes will result in charges based on the type of customer and their energy, water and wastewater needs. Rate change examples for residential customers include:
- Small residential (i.e. mobile home, 1-2 residents): $3/month total bill increase
- Average residential (1000-2000 sq. ft. home, 4-6 residents): $4/month total bill increase
- Large residential (2000 sq. feet and up): $9/month total bill increase
Commercial customers will see an increase of three to four percent on their total monthly bill. “Nearly every consumer sector has been hit hard by inflation since 2020,” said City Manager Taylour Tedder. “The price of eggs doubled, meat prices soared and gasoline went up nearly 40-percent in 2022. Raising rates was a difficult decision, but we kept the increases as low as possible, and made sure rates for customers who use the least amount of utilities would feel a lesser impact.”
City staff suggest that residents consider getting on Boulder City’s Budget Billing. The program averages the customer’s last 12 months of utility costs and enables them to pay the exact same amount on a monthly basis. Customers will still receive a monthly bill. Contact the Billing Department at 702.293.9244 for information.
ALSO TUESDAY NIGHT: City Council voted to continue the City’s involvement with the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care. The funding required for continued partnership is based on the population size of Boulder City. City Manager Taylour Tedder shared that staff is working with several organizations to assist people experiencing homelessness in Boulder City, including training for staff and community outreach by professionals from Clark County Social Services.
City Council approved annexation of 2,554.88 acres of land near the western portion of the City. This annexation means Boulder City increases in size by three square miles, covering a total of 211 square miles of land in Southern Nevada. The addition bumps Boulder City from the 42th largest city in the U.S. by land mass to the 41st largest city, maintaining the status of largest city by land mass in Nevada.
The 13th annual Historic Preservation Award was presented to Dawn Wengert and Donald Rackey for their house at 524 Birch Street. They received a certificate and bronze award plaque.
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