Budget and Billing

Your bill is calculated in the following manner:

The board determines a budget for the fiscal year that runs from December 1 through November 30.  For the fiscal year 2024 to 2025 the board estimates the cost of operating the Syringa system to be $180,813.  NOTE: The Reserve account also holds money for repairs and upgrades and money to help capitalize any future loans.  As of November  2024, there is $522,111 in the Reserve account. Money not spent on operations this fiscal year is rolled over to the capital reserve.

 

     
  SYRINGA HEIGHTS WATER DISTRICT December 1 2025 – November 31, 2026 BUDGET  
     
  INCOME  
 

Syringa Heights Water District Base Fee (239 users @ $27/mo.)

 $77,436
     
  City of Sandpoint Base Fee ($5534.90/239 users = $23.16/mo.) $66,423
     
  Interest Income $30,000
     
  TOTAL INCOME $173,859
     
     
     
  EXPENSES  
     
  Accounting, Billing $10,000
  Administrative Expense $7,500
  CCR Prep $300
  Certified Operator Cost $4,200
  Computer and web and Internet Expenses $2,500
  Directors Fees $12,000
  Dues and Fees $1,500
  Engineering Services (Miscellaneous) $5,000
  Water Loss $8,000
  Insurance and Bonding $2,000
  Legal Fees $10,000
  Meetings $1,750
  Meter Reading (CO) + Badger $2,000
  Meter Reading, Trimble $1,200
  Mileage $500
  Office supplies $400
  Post Office Box Rent $200
  Postage $1,800
  Repairs and Maintenance $25,000
  Site Locates $2,500
  Water Testing $2,500
  Software updates (Quick Books) $1,000
     
  Telephone Expense $1,500
  Utilities (power) $3,500
  Sandpoint Base Fee ($5,534.90 / mo.) $66,419
     
  BASIC OPERATIONAL EXPENSES $173,269
     
 
First, we have to be sure that the operations and maintenance are paid for. To do that, we divide the number of Syringa water users (239 billings, as of November 2025) into the budget or the “Basic Operational Expenses”.  That becomes our Water Base payment. The “Water Base” as you can read on your green billing card is $27.  In addition, the City of Sandpoint charges $5,534.90 per month to be connected to their system.  This City charge is also equally divided by the number the number of billings and adds another $23.16 to your bill.  This shows up as “City of Sandpoint” on your green billing card.  Everyone pays the Water Base and the City of Sandpoint charges no matter how many gallons he or she uses.  

To that amount is added the cost of water you use per thousand gallons multiplied by the rate at which the City of Sandpoint sells water per thousand gallons of usage.  Sandpoint water usage fees are:

  • $3.26 for the first 6000 gallons
  • $4.12 for 6,001 to 20,000 gallons
  • $8.23 for 20,001 to 40,000 gallons
  • $9.26 for over 40,001 gallons

For example, a member that uses 6,800 gallons pays $3.26 per thousand for the first 6000 gallons or $19.56, and $4.12 per thousand for the next 800 gallons or $3.30.  Their total cost of water usage $22.86.  Note that you are only charged for the water you use.

  • Syringa Water Base fee: $27.00
  • Water use costs: $22.86
  • City of Sandpoint Fee: $23.16
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  • Total monthly bill: $73.02

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

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