Water rates and infrastructure improvements took center stage at the Palisade Board of Trustees meeting on March 4, with officials aiming to balance necessary upgrades with minimizing financial strain on residents.

Rising Water Costs After 15 Years

For over a decade and a half, Palisade has kept water rates unchanged. But that era may be coming to an end.

“We’re actually starting to fall behind within what our service provides versus what we’re charging for that service,” said Mayor Greg Mikolai. “So financially, we’re still working with a 2010 budget when what we need to be thinking about is what do we need now in 2025?”

Aging infrastructure has added pressure to the town’s financial planning.

Addressing Infrastructure Challenges

Palisade’s water system isn’t getting any younger. Pipes are aging, and maintenance costs are climbing.

“The pipes are getting older, and we have to take care of those, and all of those costs, just like anything else with inflation, have gone up,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Jamie Somerville.

While the exact increase in water rates remains undecided, officials say they are working to shield vulnerable residents from financial strain.

• Households on fixed incomes will be prioritized for assistance.
• Those who use less water may see lower costs compared to higher consumers.
• Expanding irrigation systems is being explored as a cost-saving measure.

“We want to impact the fewest people, the least,” Somerville explained. “The people that are on fixed income, the people that don’t use as much water, we want to save them more money in that case so that it affects fewer people.”

Long-Term Capital Improvements

Beyond water rates, the town is crafting a roadmap for infrastructure investments over the next five years.

“We’re trying to create our long-range plan of what we want to do for capital expenditures for the town of Palisade over the next five years,” Mikolai said. “There’s a limited amount of resources in terms of funding; the board has to be very selective and have to think consciously.”

Some of the major projects under review include:

• Town Swimming Pool: Upgrades and maintenance to extend usability.
• Boat Launch: Improvements to public access and safety.
• Lagoon Project: Supported by a $3 million grant, requiring a new sanitation pipeline before moving forward.

Weighing Financial Priorities

Mikolai emphasized that every project must be evaluated carefully.

“We prioritize these again for the most benefit to the community,” he said.

While no immediate changes are finalized, discussions will continue as officials balance fiscal responsibility with the town’s evolving needs.