Why doesn't new development pay for capital improvements?

New development pays a capacity fee based on the size of their water service to "buy in" to the existing system. For example, a new single-family home pays $6,296 to connect to the water system. Funds collected from new development are used for system-wide capital improvements. For 2014-2016 the City has been collecting about $0.75 to $1 million per year from new development. Those fees are used to offset the amount ratepayers contributed for capital improvements. New development is required to pay for and install infrastructure required to serve their project. For example, if a new or larger water main is required to supply a new subdivision, the City does not pay for it out of capital improvement funds. The new development pays all costs. The $3 million, increasing to $6 million, in annual capital improvements supported by the rates are not used to benefit new development.

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1. Why do water rates need to be raised?
2. What would happen if we didn't raise the rates?
3. Why is a fixed service charge included on my bill?
4. I liked that three units (3,000 gallons) of water were included in the bimonthly service charge we had before. Why do we have to change?
5. I am on a fixed income and am a low water user. Why is my bill going up by $11 per month while a large user's bill is only going up by $5 per month?
6. Why don't multi-family, commercial, and irrigation customers have tiered rates like single-family residential?
7. Why does the City bill for water every two months instead of monthly like most of my other bills?
8. Why is $6 million needed per year for Capital Improvements?
9. Why doesn't new development pay for capital improvements?
10. What are the major costs to operate the water system?
11. What has been done to lower operating costs?
12. Why don't you lay off employees or reduce salaries to cut costs?
13. Does a water customer in Napa pay more or less than similar customers in neighboring communities?