La Junta adopts 2027 electric, water, wastewater and sanitation rates
The new schedules begin Jan. 1. Illustrative monthly increases are about $5.28 for a residential account and $8.75 for a small commercial account, assuming water fixed fees stay unchanged.
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La Junta’s Board of Utilities adopted new electric, water, wastewater and sanitation rates for 2027. The schedules take effect on billing cycles beginning Jan. 1. The amount customers pay will depend on usage and account type.
For residential electric service, the energy charge will rise from 14.20 cents to 14.355 cents per kilowatt-hour. The small general-service rate will increase from 14.75 cents to 14.929 cents per kilowatt-hour, under the electric rate resolution.
The water schedule raises commodity charges per 1,000 gallons: the first tier goes from $3.21 to $3.37, the second from $3.52 to $3.70, and the third from $4.08 to $4.28. The wastewater schedule raises the standard residential monthly sewer charge from $59.67 to $62.66. The standard nonresidential flat charge rises from $79.56 to $83.54, and the charge for use above 7,000 gallons increases from $4.50 to $4.73 per 1,000 gallons.
The sanitation schedule raises the monthly charge for a residential dwelling from $14.33 to $14.89. A commercial account with one weekly tote pickup will pay $18.35, up from $17.66.
For illustration, listed charges would increase about $5.28 a month for a residential account using 600 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 5,000 gallons of water, with one residential sewer tap and one dwelling-unit sanitation charge. For a small commercial account using 1,000 kilowatt-hours and 10,000 gallons, with standard nonresidential sewer service and one weekly tote, the listed charges would increase about $8.75. These estimates assume water fixed fees did not change. The schedule lists those fees but not their prior amounts, so the total bill change may differ.
The board adopted each of the four rate resolutions 3-0 at its Oct. 13 meeting, according to its minutes. During the discussion, Commissioner Thomas cited higher costs for services and supplies. Commissioner Miner said a Consumer Price Index adjustment would bring rates more in line with similarly sized municipalities and said software could help the board use internal data to assess future rate needs.
Separately, the board recommended that City Council adopt proposed 2027 budgets for the four utility funds. That was a recommendation to the council, distinct from the board’s rate-setting action.