JeffCo commissioners oppose raising sewer rates any higher

Despite pressure from Jefferson County creditors to raise sewer rates, Jefferson County commissioners remain firm.

County commissioners approved a rate increase in November which will take effect in March. This will mean about a $2 increase each month to the average household.

County commissioners went behind closed doors today in executive session to discuss their bankruptcy case with their attorneys. Creditors would like to see higher sewer rates and additional revenue approved to pay off the county's massive sewer debt. Commissioners are pushing to keep the rates at the current level set to go into effect in March.

Commission President David Carrington says the commission wants to divert more of the sewer money away from the creditors to pay for sewer maintenance issues in the future.

"The commission's recent numbers from our experts were materially higher than what John Young estimated. So we are making through financial models to what impact if any those will have on our negotiations," Carrington said.

Later this month a federal bankruptcy judge will conduct a hearing over several days to determine if former county receiver John Young will return. Creditors are supporting Young's return. County commissioners oppose the move.

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