Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Nov. 17 – Rate increases for 2026 discussed

• Rates and tap fees to rise
• 2026 budget hearing
• Construction contract awarded
• Financial and operational reports
• Attorney to retire

By James Howald

The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board met in November to hear a presentation from Andrew Rheem, a senior manager at Raftelis, the company that advises WWSD about rates and financial modeling. Rheem advised the district to continue with a schedule of rate increases proposed in 2024 and characterized the impact of those increases on the district’s ratepayers. The board held a public hearing on its proposed 2026 budget and awarded a contract to eliminate a lift station. District staff gave operational reports. Finally, Erin Smith, WWSD’s attorney for 26 years, announced her retirement.

Rates and tap fees to rise

District Manager Jessie Shaffer said that in previous workshops and discussions, the board had decided to increase the base fee and volumetric rates for water by 7% in 2026, and to increase the fee for sewer service by 5%. Tap fees for water and sewer connections were set to increase by 10% and 3%, respectively. The Renewable Water Infrastructure Fee (RWIF), which funds WWSD’s purchase of the Woodmoor Ranch and its renewable water rights, would remain unchanged at $40 per month.

Rheem presented a schedule of further rate increases from 2027 through 2034. In 2027 and 2028, water rates will rise by 5% and sewer rates will rise by 4%. Then, from 2029 through 2034, both rates will rise by 3%. The RWIF will remain unchanged. Rheem said his projected rates would be subject to adjustments as needed.

According to Rheem, for residential customers, the 2026 increases will mean the monthly sewer fee will increase from $37.47 to $39.34 and the monthly water fee from $11.56 to $12.27. For the first 6,000 gallons of water used, the cost of 1,000 gallons will rise from $7.33 to $7.84. The median annual user’s bill will rise from $111 to $125.

Shaffer pointed out that the increases were largest in the first year of the schedule to avoid major increases in the future, and the increases were planned considering the district’s payments for its participation in the Loop water reuse project. Shaffer also noted that customers are using less water than they used in 2006 due to more efficient appliances and landscaping choices that are more oriented toward water conservation.

2026 budget hearing

Shaffer opened a public hearing on the 2026 proposed budget and briefly reviewed the changes he had made to it in response to the board’s input at a workshop. The rate increases proposed by Rheem were incorporated into the 2026 budget, and he had reduced the estimated revenue from supplemental water service. Supplemental water service for a new fire station to be built by the Monument Fire Department on Jackson Creek was included, Shaffer said.

There were no comments from the public; the budget hearing was left open until the next board meeting on Dec.15. A public hearing on the proposed rate increases will also be held at that meeting.

Construction contract awarded

Richard Hood, of JVA Consulting Engineers Inc., recapped the events that led to the decision to eliminate rather than update a lift station on Lost Arrowhead Drive. In January 2025, Hood explained, WWSD had requested bids to update the lift station, but the cost was prohibitive. JVA was able to design a gravity sewer reroute that eliminated the need for the lift station.

In October 2026, WWSD requested bids to demolish the lift station. Six bids were received. Mid-City Corp. submitted the lowest bid at $325,000, but JVA’s examination of the bid showed that it was “unbalanced and non-responsive” because its unit price was significantly lower than past projects. It appeared that upfront costs were too great, and material suppliers were not included as the request for proposal required. JVA recommended the contract be awarded to Native Sun Construction, whose bid was $13,000 more than Mid-City’s bid.

The board voted unanimously to award the contract to Native Sun, with a $30,000 change order contingency included.

Financial and operational reports

In his review of October’s finances, board Treasurer Dana Franzen said the district’s financial performance was where he expected it to be, with net profit down temporarily due to a higher-than-usual number of contract payments.

In his Manager’s Report, Shaffer updated the board on the Loop water reuse project, in which WWSD is a participant. Contracts have been signed with CDM Smith to increase the capacity of the Calhan Reservoir and with Burns & McDonnell to design the water treatment plant and the pumps and pipelines. Discussions are underway with Tallgrass Colorado Municipal Water LLC to finance the project through a public-private partnership.

Shaffer said that in 2026 the Loop should advance all design work to 60% completion, and if the public-private financing does not come to fruition, then the Loop will need to get contractors more involved, perhaps through a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) framework, in which the contractor is more involved in the design and is required to provide a guaranteed maximum price. Board President Brian Bush said that in 2026 the Loop would need to decide between a public-private partnership or issuing bonds.

Office Manager Cory Lynch told the board about the implementation of TextMyGov, a new way to communicate with the district’s customers during emergencies by sending alerts via text messages. Customers must opt in to the program using a link on the district’s webpage, which can be found at https://woodmoorwater.com. Customers with cell phones can text “WWSD” to 91896 to opt in to the service, Lynch said, and they will be notified by text when there is an interruption to their service.

In her Engineer’s Report, District Engineer Cydney Saelens said the Monument Ridge East development was moving ahead with plans for 37 single-family residences planned for the eastern boundary of the property, adjacent to Misty Acres.

Attorney to retire

Attorney Erin Smith, who has advised and represented the district for 26 years, announced her retirement. She said she was immensely grateful for the honor of serving the WWSD board and its outstanding staff and district management. She said she would provide Bush and Shaffer with a list of potential replacements. She hoped the transition could be complete by mid-February.

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The next meeting is on Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 15 – 2026 budget adopted and rates set (12/31/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 13 – Schedule set for 2026 budget (10/30/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 8 – Board plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (10/2/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 11 – Water tank recoat contract awarded (9/4/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, July 14 – 2025 budget gets midyear tune up (8/1/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, June 9 – 2024 audit finds “clean” finances (7/3/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, April 28, May 6 and 12 – Board awards well drilling contract, elects officers (6/7/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, April 14 – Board moves accounts to Integrity Bank and Trust (5/3/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, March 10 – Board authorizes easement agreement for Well 12R (4/5/2025)
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Feb. 10 – Pipeline maintenance contract awarded (3/1/2025)