LAUGHLIN — The Laughlin Chamber of Commerce is voicing strong concerns over the Big Bend Water District’s (BBWD) proposed multi-year water rate increases, citing a lack of transparency and limited justification in the recent public presentations—particularly when facing significant proposed rate hikes for both residential and commercial customers.
BBWD is proposing a 7.1% annual rate increase, in addition to existing CPI-based increases, for a period of five to nine years. Nearly $20 million in system upgrades was presented without an itemized capital improvement plan, financial breakdown, or third-party engineering validation. The final public workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Laughlin Library.
“Residents and businesses deserve more than vague summaries,” said Carrie Larson, Executive Director of the Laughlin Chamber. “They need to know where every dollar is going—and exactly how these investments will benefit current residents and businesses, while making room for the essential services and opportunities our underserved community still lacks.”
The presentation stated that BBWD does not meet current state-mandated storage requirements for emergency response and fire suppression—a claim that raises further questions about long-term system planning and management oversight since the Las Vegas Valley Water District assumed operational control of Big Bend in late 2008.
Compounding these concerns is the fact that BBWD’s fund balance has remained unstable since going negative in FY 2019/20—despite past rate increases and the recent payoff of two 30-year bonds. A Citizens Advisory Panel convened in 2017 recommended the current rates in part to avoid this very situation.
The Laughlin Chamber is calling on BBWD and the Las Vegas Valley Water District to provide the following before any formal vote is taken:
- A full Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) with line-item costs and an implementation timeline.
- A breakdown of operational vs. capital spending.
- A third-party line-item financial audit and independent engineering analysis to validate project urgency and cost-efficiency.
- A forward-looking strategy tailored to Laughlin’s unique system and community growth outlook.
“Laughlin is a distinct, rural community,” Larson added. “We cannot support rate increases without a clear, locally accountable plan for how those dollars will improve our system and our quality of life.”
The Chamber urges residents and businesses to attend the August 5 public workshop and the August 12 Laughlin Town Advisory Board meeting. Public comments can also be submitted through official BBWD channels.
For updates, visit www.laughlinchamber.com or follow the Chamber on Facebook.
