Monument approves water rate increases

The Monument Town Council approved water rate increases during its Aug. 3 meeting.

Water rates will have graduated rate increases based on the usage above 3,000 gallons for both residential and commercial users. Users who consume 0–3,000 gallons will have no increase. Those at 3,001–24,000 gallons will see a 10% increase and those at 24,001 gallons or more will see a 15% increase.

Some fees and fines are also increasing. Most notable among those is a $3 billing fee that will apply to all accounts. Some other fees were reduced or eliminated.

“The water fund is like a separate business; it needs to support itself,” Monument Director of Finance Jennifer Phillips said. “If we do nothing and there are no rate increases, the water fund will begin to really experience problems in 2028 and basically be in the negative by the end of 2029.

“This is obviously unacceptable.”

There have been no rate increases since 2020 after having 5% increases each year from 2016-2020. Phillips said that staff were looking into doing a water master plan to ensure the fund’s viability long term.

“We have to look at what do we need to charge our residents, what kind of rates, our commercial and residential customers to ensure that our water fund stays healthy and can support all the services we’re providing,” she said.

Karl Malone Powersports

Council approved the final planned unit development for a 3.29-acre development at 15871 Terrazzo Drive, which is at the intersection of Terrazzo and Baptist Road.

Karl Malone Powersports will be a commercial vehicle sales and service facility focused on recreational motorized equipment.

The project includes a two-story, approximately 30,000-square-foot building containing showroom space, 15 service bays, a wash bay, parts department and offices together with parking, signage, landscaping and a secured rear storage area for recreational vehicles awaiting service.

Members on the planning commission and town council lauded the developer for their cooperation with the town during the process and also for the building’s striking design.