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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">July 30, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Matt Nestor
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />City of Columbia Utilities
<br />573.874.7307
<br />Matthew.Nestor@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Opportunity for public input on proposed water rate increases</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">As part of the City of Columbia Fiscal Year 2025 budget, Columbia Water & Light is proposing water rate increases that will impact customers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Residents will have the opportunity to provide input on the budget and the prospective water rate changes during a public hearing at the Aug. 5 City Council meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 701 East Broadway.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Providing safe, reliable and affordable water remains a priority for the City of Columbia. The Water Utility serves more than 51,000 customers, and the sale of water is the major source of revenue for the department.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">City staff and the Water & Light Advisory Board designed the proposed rates to implement a revenue increase to maintain adequate cash reserves and to meet the Utility’s debt coverage requirements.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If approved by the City Council, the water rate increases would go into effect beginning with the first billing cycle in October 2024. </span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Proposed rates</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Current</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Proposed</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Base Fees</strong></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$12.00</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$12.48</span></p>
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<p><strong>Usage Fees: (per ccf)</strong></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tier 1</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$3.10</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$3.22</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Airport</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$4.46</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$4.66</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Summer Tier 2</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$4.25</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$4.44</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Summer Tier 3</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$6.26</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$6.89</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Irrigation Summer</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$6.26</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">$6.89</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The average Columbia residential customer uses about 5 ccf (hundred cubic feet) per month, which would mean about a $1.89 increase per month.</span></p>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Additional information on water rates for all residential and commercial tiers can be found at </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://como.gov/utilities/utility-rates"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CoMo.gov/utilities/utility-rates</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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