Hungry Horse news., 1954-07-16
PROPOSES Water Rate Boost

Columbia Falls city council at
their July meeting decided to ask
the Public Service commission in
Helena for permission to increase
the "flat" water user rate by 25
per cent. This would put the min
imum monthly charge at $2.19,
compared to $1.75 and the ordin-
ary user charge from $2.35 a
month to 1924.
Proposed increase would only
affect users without meters. Of
the city's 600 water users, about
$50 are on meters, and pay flat
rate of $1.30 for the first $500 gal
Ions; $2.40 for 5000 gallons with
steps continuing through $500 a
month for 10000 gallons.
NEW HOMES, METERED
All new residences built in the
community since 1852 are meter
ed, and for the most part, pay
more for their water.
Council majority sentiment is
that the only fair way to charge
for water is either to have flat
rate for all, or all users on meters.
Obstacle to meters is the $25 cost
of each unit which is presently an
expense of all new water users.
Putting meters in older houses
brings up the question of how to
pay for the meters and installation
costs.
Monday evening saw the coun-
ell presented the situation where
about $35, 1000 must be raised to pay
water department expenses and
debt retirement next year, COM
pared to $4,000 this year. Howard
Greene, water commissioner, esti-
mated that new users would con-
tribute about $4,000, leaving $1,000
to be raised. Hence the new water
rate proposal.
BUDGETS FROM NOW ON
Under the city form of govern
ment adopted last May 3, Columbia
Falls must work on a budget sys-
tenn. All budgets must by compile
ted by the August meeting. They
are in process of being prepared
now.
Budget breakdown for the wa
ter department shows $4,000 a
year for electricity to pump water,
a cost that the city has not had
Interest and bond re-
tirement costs were $11,516.25 and
are anticipated at SIT, 500 with the
new improvements; maintenance
was $7,350.19, and is pegged at
So, 500, and wages from $5,210.17
to $1,000 in view of city growth.
Presented the council Monday
was the choice of increasing wat
er rates, or an added mill levy
with property owners absorbing
water costs. Decision was to have
water users pay for water.
HOUSE SURVEY
Howard Greene, water commits
sioner, and his assistant, Don
have been directed to
make a house to house survey of
installations. A number of situ-
ations are known in the city where
property owners have more fac
ilities than they are being billed
for.
Present charge is $1.75 month
with additional charg-
eS per month of 25 cents for each
tub or shower, 25 cents for each
toilet, 10 cents for each bathroom
sink. Ordinary households pay
$235 a month. The first kitchen
sink, laundry tub and lawn taps
don't count.
Other decision by the council
was to have guard rails
placed on either side of Nucleus
up the hill from highway
40 to the city hall.
Discussed at the meeting was
the possibility of trading the pres
ent ball park to Plum Creek Log
ging Co. for a new ballpark loca-
tion where there would be more
space and parking facilities. On
the committee are councilmen,
Fleming and Schmidt.
Alton Johnson was awarded
contract OF S40U a year 10 keep
he city hall supplied with all
necessary sawdust for heating. His
was the only bid.
Problem of Flathead county ha-
wing title to three Columbia Falls
that have outhouses in
stead of indoor plumbing was
brought up. These are homes of
old age assistance cases.
TV TALK
No decision was made following
he appearance of Fred Plummer
md Dick Gies of Big Mountain
relevision, Whitefish. Plummer,
he spokesman, opposed council
of an exclusive franchise
or such service. Casey Electric has
asked for a TV franchise with
'piped in" reception in Columbia
Falls.
Plummer said his firm wanted
Columbia Falls kept open to all
.omers. Further that with Colum-