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Great Falls City Commission Raises Water and Sewer Rates

By Charlie Keegan

Story Created: Mar 15, 2011 at 10:40 PM MDT

Story Updated: Mar 15, 2011 at 10:40 PM MDT

After holding a public hearing, Great Falls City Commissioners voted three to two Tuesday evening to raise sewer and water rates. Storm drain rates, however, will not increase.

Officials say this increase will cost the average home $2.42 more each month. Expect to see water rates go up 5% and sewer rates increase by 7.5%. It all goes into effect April 1st.

Public Works Director Jim Rearden stresses the combined total will still be the lowest among Montana's seven largest cities. Still, raising taxes during hard economic times has one resident upset. “This is wrong. Good government does not raise taxes on people when they are in a recession, and we are in a recession,” John Hubbard says.

Others say by taking care of the system now, the city could be saving money in the long run. “Doing what the city has started to do over the last few years of gradual increases to improve the system is beneficial for residents and for business,” Brett Doney says.

Commissioners unanimously approved the Master Plan to revamp West Bank Park. “The character of a community is reflected in its parks system and, certainly, we have beautiful parks,” Mayor Michael Winters says.

Before getting down to business at tonight's commission meeting, city officials heard two proposals to take over the animal shelter. The first came from the Florida based American Pet Association, followed by the local Animal Welfare Reform Cooperative. “We live here we have been working in animal welfare here for years. We have a lot of experience with all the other community members in the animal welfare community and other rescue groups,” Animal Welfare Reform Cooperative Board Member Nora Norum says.

The City Commission also scheduled a public hearing on urban chickens for April 5th. Mayor Winters proclaimed March 20th through 26th “Made in Montana Week,” a public marketplace of Montana-made products will be held March 26th at the Convention Center.

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Anonymous said on Friday, Sep 16 at 6:56 AM

Well, the fact is that when the federal government recieves less tax money to pass down to state, county and local levels, the money still has to come from somewhere. Since congress seems incapable of getting tax money from those who can most afford to pay taxes, the money must now come from those who can least afford to pay them.

making of a ghost town said on Wednesday, Mar 16 at 12:37 AM

working on making great falls a ghost town, keep raising everything its going to put people in a cardboard box or out of town, and then if the base goes there will be nothing here....

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