Water rate increases possible for Basin

A rate increase from South Big Horn County Water District was a topic of discussion at the Dec. 14 Basin Town Council meeting.
Mayor CJ Duncan said the district is proposing an increase of 10% of the EDU (Equivalent Dwelling Unit) rate. “They are not proposing a rate increase to the usage fee.”
Councilman Chuck Hopkin asked if the cost would be passed on to the customers of the town. He was told yes, it would be an increase to the base rate.
Duncan explained, “We mark up the rate we pay because we have a pipeline system, trucks, and employees we have to be able to pay back for. So, our base rate is higher than what we purchase from South Big Horn that purchases Big Horn Regional (Regional Water Supply). They are going to raise their rate which is going to make South Big Horn raise their rate.”
He continued that it was his understanding the district wanted to replenish its reserves as last year there were some line breaks that took quite of bit of the reserves. The town needs to discuss in the next few months possible rate increases to their customers. South Big Horn has a meeting coming up and he will attend it.  
WATER DISTRICT AGREEMENT DISCUSSION
Duncan explained that the town has a memorandum of understanding (MOU)  with the South Big Horn County Water District and South Big Horn County Joint Powers.
Duncan stated “Basically we would provide office space. They can use our phone number, they could use our address, all those things accordingly. That’s been working.”
He went on to say since moving there has become issues including the use of on DUNS number for three entities with the same address. (Data Universal Numbering System provided by Dun and Bradstreet)
Town clerk Deaun Tigner said she has updated and received approval from SAM for the town’s new address. (SAM is a registration service branch of the federal government. For any entity to get grants, they must be registered) A week later she updated the water districts. It was approved. She attempted to do the same for the joint powers board.  She got notice that the water district info was relabeled as the joint powers. She was informed that normally three entities cannot have the same building/address. Suites could be created and added to the address. She was told SAM would change it for municipalities but that the Water District and Joint Powers are not part of the town.
Hopkin asked if the rooms in the town could be labeled as suites? He was told yes but the district and joint powers also need their own phone number, PO box, and email addresses. Currently they are using the town’s.
Duncan expounded that the town is willing to continue to provide a desk and computer. Ideally the person would move to a different office and do the district and powers work in that office. Customers could go to that office to pay their water bills as well. The MOU would still allow for their meetings to be in the town’s meeting room.
He explained further, “For us that degree of separation makes a lot of sense to me personally. It changes the way things can be done. It has never been said anywhere on an official paper that it’s Charlene’s (Anderson) job to do the water district. We think it is her job and we assign her the majority of that work.  It basically just says the town of Basin will provide services at its cost.”
Duncan gave an example of how many people come into the office to pay their water bills and demand the office staff (other than Charlene) go over their easement, etc. The office staffers do not have access to the information, and it can cause some animosity when customers come in. By putting the district and powers board in their own room, this could help. He added he is open to discussion. In his opinion it would be what is best for the town. It was different when Anderson was in the town office eight hours a day. Now she is only in the office a few days a week for part of the day.
He continued that it is nobody’s fault. Hopkin asked what the next step is. Councilmen Carl Olson and Stuart DesRosier said the water district and joint powers should be responsible for getting their own box, phone number and SAM account. Duncan noted that the current MOU says the town is responsible. Neither entity has a paid employee except their director John Joyce.  Anderson and Mike Dellos are contracted through the town.
Duncan asked the council to approve him to address a change in the MOU with the Water District at their meeting the following week.  
OTHER BUSINESS
• An MOU was signed with Greybull Animal Control for the pound.
• The third reading of Ordinance 708 Farm Animals passed.
• A franchise fee agreement with Charter Communications was reviewed. Town Attorney Kent Richins noted it doesn’t expire for a year. He called Charter to find out why they were pushing it now. He told the council of his concerns. Changes were made on the terms and fee amount.  
• Resolution 12-14-2023 – Change of physical address officially for the town.