Hearings slated for Indian Hills water fees change

Water rates in Indian Hills soon may be adjusted so residents pay for what they use.

Public hearings for the proposed water rate changes are expected to start in March.

The Indian Hills General Improvement District last week authorized its manager to set up a new rate structure.

Manager Jim Bently said district residents now pay a flat fee of slightly more than $14 a month for usage of up to 10,000 gallons of water.

The new structure sets fees at a $7 basic administration fee and $2.25 per 1,000 gallons used.

"We have a lot of residents using between 1,000 to 2,000 gallons per month, and another guy using 10,000 gallons pays the same (monthly charges)," Bently said.

In other business, the district will start accepting bids for a new district office at James Lee Park. Bently expects construction to cost $385,000. Initially, the district sought Community Development Block Grant Funds to build a community center that included a district office.

Because there was an issue regarding the community center would be supported by residents, the plans were changed to omit the community center.

Residents voted down a plan to build the facility in 2000.

Former Trustee Joanne Riekenberg, who was recalled in 2000, said there is no interest in the community for a district office.

"There are no residents coming to the district saying they want a new office," she said. "The board had already made up their mind before the meeting without public knowledge."

The community center issue was one of the reasons for the 2000 recall, with proponents accusing trustees of defying residents' wishes and trustees saying they were concerned about the fiscal impacts of a community center.

The district also is seeking bids for construction of a three-bay extension to the maintenance building.

The next board meeting is at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at the district office, 924 Mica Drive.