RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – Water isn’t free and in one city it’s definitely not cheap.
Wilkins said that’s way more than they anticipated.
“We have a lot of citizens in need and when look at our water rates, our water rates are three times what Albuquerque is,” he said.
His theory on all those reconnects – people are struggling.
“Surely they must have foreseen that there would be some hard cases,” fellow councilor Cheryl Everett said.
Cheryl Everett said Wilkins voted in favor of those hikes.
Everett also said many of the reconnects are repeat customers and that there are programs to help those people out.
Those who call Rio Rancho home have different opinions on the topic.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be cut off, but $75? No I don’t agree with it at all,” said one man.
“If they have it go toward infrastructure, that’s a good thing,” Ernest Hill said.
“I have had that reconnection fee and it was no problem,” added Jenny Ortiz.
As of now, Rio Rancho has roughly $9 million in its utility fund. Wilkins said he supports pulling some money from that to help out those in need. Everett isn’t on board with that idea.
