Billing, Rates, Fees & Finances
AUTOMATIC PAYMENT METHODS
EV does not offer any EFT (electronic funds transfers) or credit card payment at this time. Many customers use their bank’s on-line “bill pay” services as a way to streamline payments to some degree. With most bank on- line services, you can set up lists of payees, go on-line each month, enter an amount for a payee like EV and issue the payment. The bank will send a physical check in the US Mail to EV and it will be processed and deposited just like a hand written personal check. Consult your individual bank for fees that may apply, but many banks offer this service for free. Some EV customers set up their on-line bank “bill pay” service to automatically send us a check in the same amount each month according to their estimate of typical monthly charges by EV. Your EV water account will carry any over-payments as positive account balance. But be advised, if your estimated scheduled recurring payments fall short of actual EV charges, your account will carry a negative balance forward which is assessed a 3% monthly late fee. Also note that your bank may send you an email saying the check was issued, but the check is not posted against your account until we cash it.
CAN I GET MY MONTHLY BILL VIA EMAIL?
EV can deliver your monthly bill by email. Many customers use this service, especially those that use on-line bank “bill pay” services to pay. Save paper, time and cut environmental waste by getting your bill by email. Email or call us to sign up!
FEES and RATES
See our current annual Rates, Fees and Billing Policy here.
DISTRICT FUNDING & FINANCES
For Budgets and Financial Reports go to the Reports/Forms main menu link
Water Supply and Distribution Funding to support water supply and distribution operations comes from user fees and to a lesser extent, from a property tax mill levy. Colorado law allows local government utilities such as EV to levy a limited property tax for operations. The District collects the remainder of its revenue from customer water fees. These two revenue sources fund the water supply and delivery systems. User fees are based in part on flat rate so that some of the District’s high fixed costs to ensure water availability are shared equally. The remainder of user fees are derived from a tiered rate structure based on usage. Rates per thousand gallons increase in higher usage tires to encourage conservation. The fixed costs to maintain wells, the distribution system, water acquisition and administration represent up to 80% of the District’s budget. The only cost with any significant variability when pumping water is the usage portion of electricity costs. Demand charges, another component of electricity costs, are incurred and quite high, with any single monthly start-up of large pump equipment.
BONDS and SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Over the years, special assessment bonds have been approved by District voters to fund major projects like the large storage tank and Jordan well construction. The District currently is financing the Carson II well with $500k in general obligation bonds issued in 2008 and scheduled to be paid in full July 1, 2028.
TAXPAYERS BILL OF RIGHTS (TABOR) EXEMPTION VOTE
Tax Payers Bill of Rights (TABOR) Exemption In May of 2000, the District’s electorate voted to exempt the District from the State TABOR amendment by 25 (78%) in favor and 7 (22%) opposed. A portion of District revenues operating revenue comes from the property mill. This measure will allow the District flexibility to adjust the mill in response to property valuation changes to keep revenue streams more consistent.
