Overall electric and water usage in Longmont jumped following the emergence of the COVID-19 virus while the city provided $247,000 in federal pandemic-relief direct assistance to 281 households falling behind on their utility bills last year.
Longmont City Council, Tuesday night, will get other breakdowns of Longmont’s utilities during a work session. The update is among several that will come in 2021, culminating in recommended rate changes for 2022 and subsequent years, according to a city staff report.
Council members will learn that Longmont’s electric rates are the second lowest in the state, out of 44 utilities surveyed in January 2021, the report states.
A regional comparison of total utility bills shows an average of $204.41 paid in the region, with Longmont’s average residential bill totaling $195.65, the report states.
“The city of Longmont is proud to offer utility services at an excellent value,” the report states.
Overall, electric usage increased 2.1% after COVID-19 arrived in the city. The increase comprised a 7.1% increase in usage by residential customers and a 1.3% decrease in usage by commercial customers, the report states.
A portion of the increase by residential classes was due to the increase of customers, the report states. The average residential customer increased usage by 4.8%
Overall water usage increased by 13% in 2020 compared to 2019, the report states. Precipitation last year was 31% lower than in 2019, which prompted high water use, the report states.
In general, residential use increased by 13% over 2019 — driven by outdoor use — while commercial use increased by 1%.
The city report also reviews bill delinquency statistics and assistance available to residents who have trouble paying their utility bills.
Longmont’s CAReS (City Assistance and Rebate System) program — established in 2019 — combines a new rebate of sales tax and existing rebate programs for property tax, rent, electric rates, water rates and the park and greenway maintenance fee. The program has seen increased enrollment and assistance provided in 2020, the report states.
The federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CVRF) was a one-time influx of $247,000 in 2020, which helped give relief to “those in distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the report states.
CVRF dollars were also funneled through the Boost Longmont Business Grant program, which provided $1.3 million in assistance for 98 businesses, the report states.
