Othello and food processor J.R. Simplot agreed upon a new water contract to gradually increase Simplot's rates by 32 percent over the next five years.
Simplot is the town's largest water user. Simplot paid the city $345,360 for water this year for about 866 million gallons.
The new contract states that Simplot's rates will increase from 42 cents per unit in 2008 to a possible agreed upon high of 52 cents per unit in 2012.
Simplot is the town's largest water user. Simplot paid the city $345,360 for water this year for about 866 million gallons.
The new contract states that Simplot's rates will increase from 42 cents per unit in 2008 to a possible agreed upon high of 52 cents per unit in 2012.
Simplot spokesman Rick Phillips said on Wednesday the company couldn't have absorbed the rate increase in one year without layoffs or production changes. Simplot employs 372 people at its Othello plant, he said.
