Great Falls Residents Could See 10%-15% Increase In Utility Bills

The City Of Great Falls Raised Utility Bills Last Year

From The Electric in May, 2023:

During a May 16, 2023 meeting, city commissioners voted to increase utility rates in Great Falls by 10%  for water, sewer and storm drains. From time to time, the city will adjust rates to make sure there is enough money to support and finance the capital improvements program along with meeting debt service coverage requirements and maintain appropriate reserves.

No one opposed the measure.  After all, the city hadn't had a rate increase for around 4 years due to the pandemic.

The City Of Great Falls May Be Increasing Utility Rates.  Again.

From Newsbreak:

Now, there is talk of the City Commissioners raising rates AGAIN by another 10-15%. That would be around $7.55 a month to the average Great Falls utility Bill. That's right around $90 a year, with a special rate for senior citizens. There is a meeting tonight (4/2/2024) for the commission to decide whether or not to hold a public hearing on the rate increase before June 1.

A large portion of the fee is for clean water and wastewater treatment.  Both imperative for a good quality of life.

 My Only Gripe

Maybe help out more than just senior citizens.  The $90 raise in utilities a year is literally about 2 weeks worth of groceries for some people.  To break it down more, the $7.55 a month is cereal for the little ones for 2 weeks.  I know that isn't much to a lot of people, but to some, that $8 a month is everything.  Maybe we start making exceptions for people who do not see a cost of living raise most every year. Remember, rent and home prices are astonishingly high in Great Falls and get higher every day. That all started when they froze utility rates for the pandemic.

The improvements that need to be made are important for how well we live in Great Falls, and if people will want to visit Great Falls and leave some of their money here.  I get that and I support that.