craigdailypress.com

Those who fill their tanks at city-sponsored water stations pay double the per-gallon rate that city water system customers pay. That's likely to increase with the construction of a second card-operated water station.

Using a $30,000 grant, the city will construct a second station on First Street next to the Moffat County Public Safety Center. That station will replace the one currently located at the water plant, which is too close to the plant to be considered secure by Homeland Security standards.

Another water station is north of Craig on Yampa Avenue.

Though some council members said the location wasn't ideal, they concluded it was the best option.

"Is that the place we want if we want to develop (that area) for commercial use in the future?" Councilor Don Jones said.

The Council has discussed dedicating a portion of that 17-acre property to the Craig/Moffat County Economic Development Partnership for use as a business park.

"That might be a pretty valuable piece of property," Councilor Kent Nielson said.

But, that's the only feasible and appropriate site the city owns, City Engineer Bill Earley said. Another option the city has is a larger piece of property situated along side Woodbury Park, which Earley said is too close to a residential area and a park, whereas the other site is in an industrial zoned area.

The price of the installation will exceed the $30,000 grant, Earley said, if the city includes curbs and gutters, paved streets and landscaping.

"If we make an individual come in and pave their parking lot or street, then we ought to do the same," Councilor Don Jones said.

Earley didn't know how much that will boost the price of construction.

The cost of that project will determine whether the city raises its rates for that water.

"We ought to at least break even," Jones said.

Water users may not see a price increase at the stations until next year. Earley plans to budget for a water rate study in 2005 budget, which would include a cost/recovery plan for the water stations.

"We want to recoup the cost of replacing the station at the end of its useful life," City Manager Jim Ferree said.

Christina M. Currie can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 210 or ccurrie@craigdailypress.com.