Monterey Park : Water Rate Increases OKd

Residents and businesses will pay more for water starting next year under tentative rate increases approved by the City Council on Tuesday.

Single family households will pay an average of $1.50 more per month, a 13% hike, said Public Works Director Nels Palm. Apartments, condominiums and businesses will see their bills increase by amounts ranging from $4.89 to $724.50 a month, an average increase of about 25%. The council is scheduled to give the rates final approval Dec. 10, and the increases will take effect 30 days later.

Without the rate hikes, Monterey Park’s Water Division faced a $700,000 deficit this fiscal year. In fiscal year 1989-90, the Water Division suffered a $300,000 deficit.

The utility will still be in the red with the increases, Palms said, “but we’ll be cutting into the deficit, and next (fiscal) year we’ll be back on track.”