Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) has scheduled a Customer Open House for those who would like to comment and/or learn more about the possible conversion of all remaining flat-rate customers to metered billing. The Open House will be March 10, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the California Building in Idlewild Park, 75 Cowan Drive, in Reno.
At the Open House, TMWA staff will be present to discuss the timeline the Board has approved for possible implementation and answer any questions. All customer comments made that day will be formally presented to the TMWA Board of Directors.
Customers can also find out how much they would pay at the metered rate as customer service staff will be present to assist. Customers can sign up for water-usage reviews to find ways to save water and reduce their water bills. Landscaping and tree experts will be available at the workshop to answer questions, as well.
TMWA Board of Directors voted at its December meeting to begin the public process to receive input on the possible conversion of all remaining flat-rate customers to metered billing. Currently, only about 5 percent of TMWA customers are billed at the flat rate.
The Board of Directors will make a final decision on whether and when to implement conversion at a public meeting to be held after all public input is received. If approved, the earliest implementation date that this conversion could occur, and the earliest water bills could be changed, would be June 2015.
The TMWA Board of Directors will also hold public meetings to consider possible amendments to TMWA’s Rules that would accommodate any proposed billing changes to flat rates.
It is anticipated that the Board will discuss possible flat-rate conversion at their Wednesday, March 18 meeting. If the Board decides to move forward with conversion, a first reading of any proposed rule or rate change could be scheduled as early as the Wednesday, April 15 Board meeting.
If the Board pursues this timeline, a second reading and public hearing could be scheduled as early as the Thursday, May 21 Board meeting. Depending on the Board’s decision, flat-rate customers could start being billed at the metered rate as early as June 1, 2015.
Customers are welcome to provide public comment at any of these meetings. Alternatively, they can also submit comment via email to [email protected]. Please check all times, dates and locations for TMWA Board meetings on www.tmwa.com, with meetings typically occurring at 10 a.m. in the Sparks Council Chambers at 745 4th Street, in Sparks.
