Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Much to their surprise, the monthly utility bills of three Oak Creek residents skyrocketed from the typical $150 to nearly $700 in February.

The Oak Creek Town Board is scheduled to discuss the startling bill increase and decide how to best handle the situation at its meeting tonight.

"All of a sudden, three of our residents, whose bills had always been relatively similar, shot sky high," Oak Creek Mayor Kathy "Cargo" Rodeman said. "We don't know where it's come from. It doesn't seem like a power surge, and it's certainly more than turning your heater on."

Rodeman said town residents are able to appeal and contest their bills before the Town Board, and members will decide how to resolve the situation.

The Town Board also is scheduled to:

Discuss pushing full-time town employee Vivian Johnson's hire date back by a year to allow her to accrue paid vacation and sick time.

Discuss increasing tap fees from $2,500 to $5,000 for any new construction that "buys into" the town's water system. Rodeman said the town recently received a grant that will allow the town to build a new water and wastewater treatment plant. The $2,500 increase -- if approved -- would not be retroactive and would affect only new construction, Rodeman said.

Discuss a land-use code regarding trailer homes. Rode--man said an Oak Creek resident recently moved a new trailer home onto his lot and put the old trailer home to the side, which is against the town's land-use code. Rodeman said residents are required to meet with the town's Planning Department and Town Board for approval before removing a trailer and replacing it. However, because the man already moved his new home onto the lot, the Town Board will decide how to handle the matter.

Discuss charging the Oak Creek Fire Protection District more money to lease its office space on Main Street. The fire department pays $1 a year to lease the space. Rodeman said the town might want to look at charging more because it is Main Street property.

-- To reach Alexis DeLaCruz, call 871-4234 or e-mail adelacruz@steamboatsprings.com