Monterey Park : Water Rates Up 10%

The City Council has voted to raise water rates by about 10%, but will consider offering a discount to elderly customers who cannot afford the increase.

The average homeowner, who pays $9.94 a month for 13,090 gallons of water, will spend $10.92 under the new rate schedule. Nels Palm, Monterey Park’s public works director, said the increase is the first since the summer of 1984, and will pay for rising expenses, especially the cost of water. The rate ordinance was approved on first reading this week and is scheduled for final adoption on Monday, with the new rates taking effect 30 days later.

David Bentz, interim city manager, said that the staff, at the council’s suggestion, will prepare a plan for a senior citizens’ discount. This is in response to complaints that the increase would be a hardship on the elderly poor.