The City of Golden Public Works Department conducted a rate study for our water, sewer and stormwater (drainage) services in 2019. We looked at how customers are charged for water, sewer and stormwater services, and the amount we charge for service.
Our last rate study was completed more than 20 years ago and much has changed since that time—water use habits, average demand and peak day needs, available technology and switching to monthly billing to name a few. Given these changes, the study helped us evaluate pricing objectives such as revenue stability, conservation and affordability to ensure we have a predictable revenue stream to support our high-quality water, sewer and stormwater services well into the future.
On November 5, 2019, Council passed Ordinances 2120 and 2121: Water, Wastewater and Drainage Utility Rates for 2020 with utility rate changes that went into effect in January 2020.
Utility Rate Citizen Committee (URCC)
The City believes strongly that our community should have a voice in decisions that affect them. That’s why, as part of the study process, we have convened an ad-hoc Utility Rate Citizen Committee (URCC) made up of volunteers from the community as well as the City’s Citizens Budget Advisory Committee, Citizens Sustainability Advisory Board and Planning Commission.
The mission of the URCC is to assemble diverse perspectives that represent our community to evaluate and advise on the City’s water, sewer, and stormwater rates and rate structures.
URCC Goals
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- To represent and communicate the views of the community
- To provide input on rate structure options and associated customer impacts
- To formulate a recommendation for Golden City Council
The URCC met once per month from February through May with the option for additional meetings as needed. Members of the public were welcome to attend and listen to committee proceedings. The meeting schedule, agenda and discussion summaries are posted here so that those who were unable to attend can be informed on those discussions.
The goal was to present a recommendation to the Golden City Council. The date of the presentation to City Council is September 12th, the public is welcome.
The final summarization and Public Open House was on Wednesday August 14th at the Golden Community Center. The summarization of the committee members and results of the study are posted here.
- Rate Study Process
- Utility Rate Committee
- Proposed Rate Structure
- Utility Bill Comparisons
- Golden Customer Bill Impact
- Final Steps in Process
- Utility Rate Citizen Committee Recommendation Report
If you have questions about the process or any of the information presented here, please contact Anne Beierle at abeierle@cityofgolden.net
