Lyon commissioners approve Willowcreek GID rate hike

Rates will be going up slightly for customers of the Willowcreek General Improvement District.

The Lyon County Commissioners on Thursday approved a $3 monthly rate increase and a $54 annual system obligation fee increase to pay back a U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development loan.

Monthly rates are now $29 and the annual system obligation fee is $354 per lot.

The increases were needed to obtain federal grant and loan funding.

The district, which maintains a water and sewer system, is in Mason Valley, just north of Yerington, between Penrose Drive and Silverado Drive, on the west side of Highway 95A.

Lyon County Utilities Director, who oversees operations for the district, said the increase was small because the county was able to obtain more funding in USDA grants than anticipated.

"If the residents had to fund that whole thing, their rates would be three times what they are now," he said

The Utilities Department has a contract with the City of Yerington to handle customer calls and billing, Workman said.

The sewer connection fee remains $3,800 and the water connection fees remained at $3,900 for a 3-inch connection and $4,200 for a 1-inch connection, plus time and materials.

Workman said the area, formerly called Penrose Estates, was built in the 1960s as a golf course community, but the golf course was never built.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.