Hearing today on raising water rates

If you want to weigh in on a proposed rate hike aimed at reducing excess water use in Las Vegas, today is your day.

County commissioners will have a public hearing on the proposed rate increase at 9 a.m. at the Clark County Government Center.

The commission doubles as the board of directors for the Las Vegas Valley Water District, which is considering alternatives for raising rates, all of them geared toward those who use the most water.

Rates would jump 26 percent to 38 percent for the highest level of water use and 5 percent to 10 percent for the lowest level of use, depending on which alternative is selected.

Commissioners also are considering a flat, 50 percent increase in the service charge. For most residential customers, that would mean about $2 more on their monthly bills.

At least one person already has told the commissioners that the proposed rate increase doesn't go far enough.

In a letter sent to the commission last week, Assemblyman Joseph Hogan, D-Las Vegas, said all four alternatives would reward "excessive water users with moderate water prices that send no significant price signal to reduce their consumption."

At the same time, the alternatives penalize "those who use little water and practice conservation by raising both their water rates and their service charge."

Any or all of the proposed changes to the water district's rates and service charges could be voted on after today's public hearing.

Commissioners also could decide to double the existing penalties for those caught watering on the wrong day or otherwise wasting water.