During a recent meeting, a representative from the North Puget Irrigation Company addressed the city council regarding a proposed water supply requirement fee. The company outlined its plan to utilize 8,200 acre-feet of water, emphasizing that they would not be asking local members to participate in the project. Instead, they would handle the construction and management of the water supply, which would allow them to access the water at a significantly reduced cost of $37,561 per acre-foot—40% less than the fee the city is expected to propose in two weeks.

The representative raised concerns about the city's approach to charging for water usage, arguing that the city is profiting from the arrangement while only providing the opportunity to use the water rather than selling it outright. He urged the council to reconsider the fairness of the proposed fees, particularly in light of state statutes that prohibit charging for deferred maintenance or generating profit from water supply arrangements.

The discussion highlighted the complexities surrounding water rights and pricing, prompting the representative to call for a thorough evaluation of the implications for future users of Fort Collins Water Utilities. The council is expected to address these concerns in their upcoming deliberations.