City Hall approves water reduction fee plan

City officials held an open hearing earlier this afternoon at Yuma City Hall, where a new water reduction plan was introduced to the public. The plan is one that City Hall and Yuma Water Representatives reviewed earlier in September. But earlier Wednesday afternoon, the city came to an unanimous vote, approving the new proposal. “We’re proud of the water and wastewater services that we have here,” Nash said. ” We think we have very good […] people living outside the city limits who wished they lived in the city because of our good water service.” The plan aims to preserve water and wastewater use, while also reducing fees for future businesses and residents. “The utilities department is asking city council to approve a reduction in the capacity fee for water and waste water,” Nash said. “This is when you hook your new building up to the city’s system, a one time fee. It’s not going to have much of an effect on existing home owners and water service customers.” The water reduction plan involves a one-time payment, for new home owners, residents and businesses. After the vote during Wednesday’s City Hall meeting, city Yuma officials announced it’s immediate effect, beginning December 2, 2016. “We feel confident that we can [make] a cut in these capacity fees and still maintain our quality of service and maintain our infrastructure costs,” Nash said. “That’s a good thing for the public benefit.”