February 14, 2008
Pioche Needing to Raise Utility Rates

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Applying for USDA grants may necessitate a utility rate increase for the residents of the Pioche.

Phyllis Robistow, Lincoln County Grant Administrator reported at the Feb. 5th County Commission meeting that grant money for utilities such as sewer and water projects in Pioche, from the USDA and various state agencies, “require that certain rates be at minimum on certain things in order for us to get grants and loans from them.”

At present, customers in Pioche are paying $14.50 a month for sewer service, and when the current town sewer project is completed, she said the minimum charge will have to be raised to at least $17 per month per household.

“The basic thinking of the granting agency,” Phyllis said, “is what are we doing for ourselves? If we are just charging minimums, then we’re not putting money aside in capital improvement to do things such as replacing/repairing tanks, water mains, etc.”

To continue to be able to apply for grants, Pioche Public Utilities (overseen by the County Commission) will have to seriously look at raising the rates, she noted.

In January 2007, County Commissioners passed a resolution raising the rate from $12.25 to $14.50. Ms. Robistow said Commissioners are going to consider passing another resolution, “so that between January and July (2009), we get the $17, or we’ll be in default of what we promised the USDA for the funding of the sewer project.”

County Commissioners will be taking the matter under advisement in future meetings.