Parker Water weighs higher long-term water charge as Platte Valley funding debate sharpens

Parker Water weighs higher long-term water charge as Platte Valley funding debate sharpensParker Water & Sanitation District’s preliminary 2027 budget proposes a 2% water-rate increase, a 1.5% wastewater increase and a $1.50-per-month rise in the long-term water fee. Directors broadly supported gradual increases but debated whether more revenue should be directed to future water-supply investment.

The preliminary 2027 budget totals $243.4 million, including $165.5 million of capital expenditure; the North Water Reclamation Facility expansion accounts for $123 million of the capital plan.

The proposed rate plan would lift the long-term water fee from $4.50 to $6.00 per single-family equivalent per month, alongside 2% increases in water base and volumetric charges and a 1.5% wastewater increase.

For a typical customer, staff’s consultant calculated a total water and wastewater bill increase of $3.91 per month, or 2.8%, under the proposal.

The district will hold a public hearing on 22 October, with final budget and rate resolutions scheduled for consideration on 12 November.

Parker Water & Sanitation District has opened public review of a preliminary 2027 budget that would increase water and wastewater charges while continuing to build a dedicated revenue stream for future water supply — but directors questioned whether the proposed long-term water fee should rise faster. The preliminary budget proposes a 2% increase in water base and volumetric rates, a 1.5% increase in wastewater base and volumetric charges, and a $1.50 monthly increase in the long-term water fee. The fee would rise from $4.50 to $6.00 per single-family equivalent per month. Stantec senior principal Carol Molesky told the board that, for a typical customer, the combined changes would increase the monthly water and wastewater bill by $3.91, or 2.8%. The calculation includes the water and wastewater rate adjustments and the long-term water fee increase. Lower- and higher-use customers would see different percentage impacts. The long-term water fee does not fund operations and maintenance. Staff said it is placed in a reserve account for future supply initiatives, including the Platte Valley Water Partnership. One board member said a $1.50 annual increase through 2040 would generate about $83 million to $84 million, while estimating the district’s share of the Platte Valley project at about $500 million. The member argued that the district should build a greater cushion before construction spending accelerates, suggesting a fee increase of $2, $2.50 or $3 could be considered while keeping overall bill growth below 3%. Other directors urged continued scrutiny of the operating budget before approving rate increases. Staff said eliminating all proposed water and wastewater operating-rate increases would require about $3.6 million in reductions from the preliminary operations and maintenance budget. It identified approximately $30.7 million of the $51.9 million O&M budget as fixed costs, citing utility chemicals, legal and banking fees, and current staffing and benefits. Potential reductions could include delaying five to six planned full-time positions, merit increases, training, or rate-funded capital, although a director said training and current-staff support should not be cut. The proposed 2027 budget totals $243.4 million. It includes $165.5 million of capital expenditure, with the North Water Reclamation Facility expansion representing $123 million. Major projects also include North Plant expansion Phase 1B, new Denver Basin wells, the Platte Valley Water Partnership and water-main transmission work. The district identified about $473 million of capital improvements over the next 10 years. The district will make the preliminary budget available online and at its offices from 9 October. A public hearing on the budget and rate adjustments is scheduled for 22 October, followed by planned board consideration of final resolutions on 12 November.