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We are a great suburb!
To stay a great suburb we must lower water rates.
Council took a first step in 2022 to keeping Westminster beautiful by lowering the landscape water rate to $6.52 per 1,000 gallons. But by Saturday August 5, 2023, this council has already raised rates up to $7.08 for 2024.
I call that bait and switch
Westminster is a great suburb. We will only remain a great suburb by constantly reminding Council not to be swayed by the "fear pushers" and doubters. Back in early 2022, Obi Ezeadi and Sarah Nurmela refused to join in lowering ware rates. Some on Council were reluctant to lower water rates to more reasonable amounts because of fear-based advice from staff. Those fears swayed City Council to raise the water rates we had just cut to $6.78 for 2023. On Saturday 5, 2023 fear has again gripped City Council and we raised the rates to $7.08 for 2024 (I was the only no vote). The beauty of our landscapes and neighborhoods depend on reasonable water rates. I see the worries and fears of financial ruin as silliness. Ft. Collins, Pueblo, Broomfield all sell landscape for less than $4.00. WHY CAN'T WESTMINSTER?
The true threat to the financial stability of the water system is wasting money on unneeded capital projects. Our staff has recommended too many of those wasteful projects (examples: unrequired Bio-solid dewatering plant in 2016 @$23 million and replacing residential water meters throughout the City in 2021 @$13 million - note: just those two projects represent 18 years of $2 million reduced rates).
I still insist Council promise to all Westminster homeowners that we will always have water rates similar to what other Front Range Cities pay. Westminster can make that promise. We have the Water. We have the financal muscle. If we do not allow over-building in the remaining vacant land in Westminster we can keep that promise. As voters, you can support Council members that will make that promise. I want Westminster to always be a green, beautiful, uncrowded place.
The true threat to the financial stability of the water system is wasting money on unneeded capital projects. Our staff has recommended too many of those wasteful projects (examples: unrequired Bio-solid dewatering plant in 2016 @$23 million and replacing residential water meters throughout the City in 2021 @$13 million - note: just those two projects represent 18 years of $2 million reduced rates).
I still insist Council promise to all Westminster homeowners that we will always have water rates similar to what other Front Range Cities pay. Westminster can make that promise. We have the Water. We have the financal muscle. If we do not allow over-building in the remaining vacant land in Westminster we can keep that promise. As voters, you can support Council members that will make that promise. I want Westminster to always be a green, beautiful, uncrowded place.
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So why would a homeowner plant, water and maintain a wonderful display of flowers next to the road on the side of his house? They will only see them when they are entering or leaving their neighborhood.
My guess is the homeowner wants to make a colorful contribution to having an attractive, pleasant neighborhood. I am also only guessing from the little library, the homeowners want their neighborhood to be generous, kind and caring. |
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Water rates based on the true costs of providing water will allow nearly all of our neighbors in all of our neighborhoods to make similar contributions to the beauty of our city.
It is my guess/speculation that the true intent of high water rates is to reduce consumption by current users. Then give that water to the 33,000 more people that DRCOG and developers want to crowd into Westminster. |
We still need to change the direction that our city is taking. The Council elected in 2023 betrayed the lower water rate goals. We should not be spending our time and tax dollars on growth. We should be proud that Westminster is a mature city.
We must take care of the Quality of Life in our neighborhoods for the people and businesses that are here!
I will work with Kristine Ireland and Scott Shilling: 1- we will lower water rates, 2- we will stop subsidizing apartment, 3-we will bring honest government to Westminster.
We must take care of the Quality of Life in our neighborhoods for the people and businesses that are here!
I will work with Kristine Ireland and Scott Shilling: 1- we will lower water rates, 2- we will stop subsidizing apartment, 3-we will bring honest government to Westminster.
Water rates must be based on true costs. I think EVERY homeowner wants to do their part in keeping their property attractive as part of an attractive neighborhood. Homeowners have PRIDE in their neighborhoods.
The first picture of two well maintained landscapes shows damage of price tiers. Obviously, the unreasonable, arbitrary price tiers have severly impacted one of the property owners and prevented the use of enough water. Perhaps there are more family members. Or maybe a fixed, retirement income places limits on water use. We need to empower our residents to do their part in making a beautiful City. I like green grass, American Flags and flowers. So do my neighbors!
The first picture of two well maintained landscapes shows damage of price tiers. Obviously, the unreasonable, arbitrary price tiers have severly impacted one of the property owners and prevented the use of enough water. Perhaps there are more family members. Or maybe a fixed, retirement income places limits on water use. We need to empower our residents to do their part in making a beautiful City. I like green grass, American Flags and flowers. So do my neighbors!
