GMCS 20242025 SCHOOL CALENDAR GALLUP FUN, B5
Gallup Sun VOL 10 | ISSUE 490
www.gallupsun.com
August 16, 2024
The future of Coal Carbon Road
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M., met with local leaders to discuss potential uses for the land adjacent to Coal Carbon Road on Aug 9. She also presented a check to McKinley County on Aug. 8 during the 102nd Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial for improvements to Red Rock Park. She secured the $850,000 to revitalize and reinvigorate the park. Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein
CITY COUNCIL APPROVES WASTEWATER RATE CHANGE By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor
T
he wait is finally over: the Gallup city council approved a wastewater rate change during their July 23 regular meeting. City staff recommended a 25% increase for fiscal year 2025, and then a 3% increase for the following four years, ending in 2029. The city’s goal with raising the wastewater rate was to try and balance replacing and repairing lines that are past their life expectancy – causing dozens of breaks around the city every year – with making the rate increase palatable to residents and business owners. City staff expect the rate increase to provide sufficient cash flow to fund debt payments as well as capital investment. PAY HOW MUCH
MORE? During the meeting, Gallup’s Chief Financial Officer Patty Holland estimated how much each Gallup resident would see their wastewaters increase by. She said the people who use the least amount of wastewater may see an increase of anywhere from $4 to $7 on each bill. Someone who uses a bit more might see a price jump of $10-$15 on each bill. And someone who uses a lot of wastewater could pay $20 to $25 more. Hol l a nd compa r e d the rate increase and the improvements the city will be able to make to the wastewater treatment plant with the additional money to buying and operating a new vehicle. “Your cost to operate your vehicle goes down when you buy the new vehicle,” she said. “Once you get it paid for, then it’s much
more efficient, it’s easier to maintain, and that’s what we’re doing. We’re asking for this [rate increase] so that we can buy that new ‘vehicle.’” Holland also took time
residents are paying $155. However, the low cost is putting Santa Fe in a difficult spot. The city’s wastewater system is failing, and now they’re having to take out loans to make
"I
really hate to [do this increase], but I also look through the budget and I also see the struggles we have." Gallup Chief Financial Officer Patty Holland
to share what residents in other municipalities across the state are paying on a yearly basis. Gallup’s rate is the highest, with the average customer paying $336 a year. Rio Rancho residents pay about $226, people in Roswell pay $231, Farmington residents pay $288 and Santa Fe
the necessary improveme nt s . Hol l a nd s a id they’ve been in violation of multiple Environmental Protection Agency rules for years now, and the New Mexico Environmental Depa r t ment h a s now become involved. Hol l a nd s a id t h a t Gallup could be in a similar situation if the city doesn’t start making improvements to the wastewater system. “[Santa Fe is] kind of our future if we don’t realize that we need to invest in this,” she said. But there is a small light at the end of the tunnel for Gallup. The NMED has seen the city’s predicament, and offered to pay a loan of $21 million to help the city improve its wastewater system. The loan would have a 0% interest rate, and they’re also willing to provide a $1 million grant to help the city start investing back into the wastewater treatment plant. The only catch? NMED wants to see the City of Gallup increase its
water rates before they give them the money. Holland expressed how important the loan would be for the city. “I really hate to [do this increase], but I also look through the budget and I also see the struggles we have,” she said. “And this loan is the best opportunity we’re going to have for a long time. I really like having that. This is going to free up $20 million to start putting back into our system.” The average residence in Gallup has a ⅝-inch meter. Holland said the service rate is based on the size of the meter. According to the ordinance, a ⅝-inch meter would add a $10.40
increase to a resident’s bill. C U R R E N T PROBLEMS WITH THE WA STEWATER TREATMENT PLANT In an interview with the Sun, the city’s Water and Sanitation Director Clark Tallis explained the importance of the wastewater facility. “The wa ste that is produced by a residential home has the potential to be a health risk or danger to health,” he said. “If you look at history or even some places around the world, if we don’t contend with the wastewater there is potential to put some of the public at risk because
See WASTEWATER, Page A7
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