On Thursday, Oct. 3, the Helper City Council invited the community in to discuss a hotly debated topic within the city; the raising of rates for water and electricity. In addition to the council members and concerned citizens, Janell Braithwaite from the Rural Water Association of Utah was present to talk about why these increases were necessary.

The problem

Braithwaite explained that each year due to declining infrastructure, Helper loses 55% of its water as it travels down from Scofield. The solution for this problem is not to just patch the leak, but rather to completely replace the old infrastructure – which was built in the 1950s – and modernize it to avoid future problems. 

This project would cost in the range of $3.4 million, with the city needing an additional $1 million to fully fund the project. The Rural Water Association is offering this money at a 0% interest rate, but to secure that loan the city would need to raise rates so the RWA knows that it would be getting its money back.

The current average water rate in the city sits at $55.09, to fulfill the requirements set forth by the RWA, Helper would need to raise rates by an average of about $6. According to Braithwaite, 75% of Helper residents would fall into that average category. 

Helper has not raised rates since 2015, which has been nice for the citizens during the time frame, but it has created a deficit that the city has to overcome now to improve its infrastructure. The proposed rates would not only allow Helper to get back where it needs to be in terms of rates, but it would also allow the city to put some money away to save in order to lighten the burden next time a project like this is needed.

The public reception

Coming into this meeting, public reception for these increases was not good. Spreading like wildfire on social media platforms, news of the proposed changes was met with harsh criticism. “What’s the goal of raising our utilities??? Oh yeah … to chase the little ppl out,” one post read. 

Entering the meeting, Helper City Hall was filled to the brim, with people continuing to trickle in as the meeting began. The public comment forms were stacked high on the Council’s desk, but those forms ended up not being needed, as the presentation from Braithwaite turned into a public discussion, with both the Council and Braithwaite addressing public concerns throughout. 

Once it was explained why the rate raises needed to take place, the tide of public opinion quickly turned. Some residents asked if the rates were for infrastructure repair, why not raise both a little more and more consistently to stay up-to-date with repairs as well as to build the city’s saving in case more repairs were needed?

The result

In the end, the council approved the raised rates. After some discussion, the water base rate was raised by $6, a raise which will occur 30 days from the meeting. In addition to this, starting in Fiscal Year 2025, the rate will increase by $1, and from FY26 to FY34, the rate will increase by $2 each year.

As for electricity, the approved rate change for residential power would increase by $4, 30 days after the meeting. This also comes with another $1 increase in 2025, and $2 increases each year thereafter. This money will be used to maintain and improve the electrical grid of the city. 

Mayor Lenise Peterman thanked those in attendance for their input and comments during the meeting, which proved to be extremely beneficial not just for the Council, but for the citizens of Helper as well.