Budget forecast: Expect to pay more for water

Studies are under way for two public utility companies in Independence to determine if rate increases are in order, just one objective of many in a 2008-09 master plan for the departments.

The suggestion came Thursday night, as several department heads gave budget presentations to the City Council, including those from the police, fire and water departments and Independence Power and Light.

Highlights included IPL Director Leon Daggett’s presentation on the department’s new fiberoptic development to protect power lines and improve communications, Water Department Director Dan Montgomery’s acknowledgment a rate increase may be in order to generate more revenue and the continued efforts from both Fire Chief Sandra Schiess and acting Police Chief Dave Lamken to address personnel and staffing challenges.

Daggett said some of IPL’s objectives for fiscal year 2008-09 include a cost-of-service study for possible rate increases, becoming an energy-efficient operation, developing renewable energy recommendations and installing fiber optic power lines.

“Part of the fiberoptics project is the Independence School Board has stepped up, and we are going to be in partnership with the Independence School District and others,” Daggett said. “We think this fiberoptic backbone grade will be pretty important for the Independence community.”

Daggett said a fiberoptic network will also help deter the theft of copper, a phenomenon that has risen in the city and all over the state in the last year, causing major headaches for utility companies with no safeguard against the thefts.

“They’re grabbing copper from live lines,” Daggett said. “I’m amazed no one has gotten hurt.”

Montgomery said a cost-of-service study in progress for the Water Department may suggest an rate increase for residential customers next year.

“We have one of the lower costs in terms of monthly average bills,” Montgomery said. “We really need to increase (rates) in order to do the things we need to do to take care of water utilities.”

Fire Chief Sandy Schiess said the department’s budget will include money for staff raises and extra funds to fully staff the Fire Station 9 on Missouri 7 near U.S. 24 in the vicinity of Fort Osage High School and the new Indian Trails Elementary School.

“We really have, with our new reporting system, a lot of information that will allow us to truly pinpoint ways we can improve service and adjust our response patterns,” Schiess said. “It’s going to be a really exciting year.”

Schiess said the current economy won’t allow for wholesale budget increases, but the department will forged ahead regardless.

“It’s tight,” Schiess said. “The economy is tight. We didn’t see big increases, but that’s the way everybody is right now. We’re going to keep providing good service, tighten our belts and make it through this.”