Story Published: Jul 29, 2010 at 7:17 PM MDT
Story Updated: Jul 29, 2010 at 7:17 PM MDT
And with increases nearly doubling for most, Ammon's Mayor knows it isn't easy.
"Raising rates is not a fun task, and we're taking money form people's pockets that they hadn't planned on. And it's a lot of money, we realize that. But the bond is a big, big chunk of money and it has to be payed off in 20 years," says Mayor Steve Fuhriman.
Back in February of 2007, Ammon residents voted on and passed a $15-million dollar bond for water improvement. Last summer, city engineers gave me a tour of what was being done. The city drilled several more wells and built massive tanks to keep up with demand.
"The money from that bond has been spent and we have improved the system. The water pressure is up all over the city. We have a much, much better system than we had a few years ago and because the project is coming to a conclusion, we are required now to start making payments on that bond," says Fuhriman.
The Mayor does understand it will be hard for people on fixed incomes and senior citizens who only have "x" amount of dollars per month.
"It hurts all the way around, and we do feel for that. But it is a necessary thing we did vote on as a community," says Fuhriman.
If you would like to attend, it starts at 7:30 at City Hall on Ammon Road. And in case there isn't enough room, the fire hall next door will be holding the meeting through a closed circuit monitor.