BROOMFIELD HAD KEPT RATES VERY LOW FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES. 

Past councils in the 20-tens either rejected or trimmed recommended increases while relying on growth to cover increasing operational costs (for over 10 years rates were either kept flat or only increased 2% when more than 4% annually was needed, foregoing $40M in revenue). Rates didn't even keep up with the price of water. When you kick the ball down the road, you eventually hit the proverbial wall. 

WHEN YOU GROW, YOU NEED MORE INFRASTRUCTURE. 

 With more users comes more necessities:

• Water treatment plant expansion (ongoing and required by law),

• Storage tank construction for adequate pressure and service (coming) and

• More water supply (A reservoir under construction near Berthoud will ensure Broomfield always has the taps flowing even at full build-out.)

These projects are very expensive and must be financed. The low rates meant Broomfield didn't collect $40 million in revenues that could have gone to reserves and/or maintenance.

TOO-LOW RATES MEANS TOO-LOW RESERVES. 

Failure to keep rates aligned to true costs has left inadequate reserves to finance these projects, so we must catch up though I acknowledge it's painful, especially with other costs rising. My wife always lets me know whenever our bill is higher. Rate increases are powering the investments which will mean consistent, quality service with fewer and shorter outages than if we did nothing.

PAY MORE NOW OR MUCH MORE LATER. 

The rate increases still only brings Broomfield to the middle of the pack for Front Range water rates (see chart below). Further rate suppression would have delayed projects and increased rates even more down the road. (Note: state law prevents us from using general funds to backfill water operations). So we can't do nothing -- but my hope is we can keep the increases to single digits so residents have time to prepare and conserve. (See my note below on latest vote)

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HELP IS AVAILABLE. 

Council created a relief fund to assist those who can least afford the increases. If you need assistance, visit this site. Broomfield residents also can apply to receive up to $750 off lawn removal services; you pay just $1 per sq. ft. for the first 450 sq. ft.)

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WE ARE NOT ALONE. 

With hotter, drier and longer summers along with a larger population predicted in the years ahead, everyone on the Front Range should expect continued water rate increases too. Anyone who says they can lower rates is blowing smoke. To ease the pain, Council has been emphasizing sustainability measures to reduce our use and conserve more water.

A SILVER LINING. 

Our water rates do remain lower compared to many other Front Range communities that are paying more for water. (See chart below).  And Broomfield recently won a three-state competition for best tasting water, and will soon compete nationally.