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Show Public hearing NSL approves new water rate By JUDY JENSEN NORTH SALT LAKE-In what may have been the shortest public hearing on record, the city council approved a water rate increase. The water rate hearing was opened for public comment by Mayor Jake Simmons at 7:30 p.m. and closed by unanimous vote at 7:33 p.m. ; Although all North Salt Lake re- sidents were informed of the poten- j tial increase in the city newsletter, i no one attended the public hearing. j City Councilman Ken Millard said he interpreted the lack of atten- I dance to be a vote of confidence in j the city's elected officials, not a j lack of interest in the issue. "It's been my experience that the best public hearings are those that are sparsely attended. It indicates that the citizens have confidence in our ability to serve our residents," he said. The council had discussed several possible new water rates and voted to adopt a change thO will increase the base rate for thV first 7000 gallons from $7.00 to $7.25. Residents living above 350 East currently pay $.70 per 1000 gallons over 7000. That will now be increased to $.82. All other city residents re-sidents now pay $.60 per 1000 gallons gal-lons over 7000. With the new rate that will increase to $.72. City manager man-ager Collin Wood said that the new rates should add approximately $37,000 to the water budget, bringing bring-ing it closer in line with the auditor's audi-tor's recommendation that the water department be self supporting. The new rates will go into effect in January 1989. The increase should be reflected on the January statements. |