This past Monday, the 19th, Mayor Marion Bishop brought Council Chambers to order at 5:30 for a quick 10-minute meeting. A couple of housekeeping items were passed with little discussion. Ordinance 1532 to adjust the ’24 budget, Resolution R-2024-33 to reclassify equipment as surplus equipment which enable it to be sold at auction; and a request to approve drainage improvements from East Wallace to East Main and the intersection of California and Flag Creek Drive were approved unanimously. A representative from Atmos Energy also spoke to council and answered questions.
Increases to Water, Electricity, and Sewer Rates
Perhaps the more impactful agenda item was Resolution R-2024-32 approving the new Master Fee Schedule. At first blush this seemed rather benign. City Manager Marty Mangum told Council that the increased rates for renting Airport Hangars were being rounded up to the nearest dollar. Mangum also discussed that the city staff compensation will be raised 3.5% for cost-of-living adjustments. However, what wasn’t presented were utility rate increases that become effective October 1, 2024. These rate increases are:
o Residential and Commercial Water rates by 5%
o Residential and Commercial Sewer rates by 3%
o Residential Electricity Distribution rates by 14%
o Commercial Electricity Distribution rates by 21%
After a discussion with the Mayor Bishop, he explained that the Electric Distribution increase is a pass through from LCRA and the increases in Water and Sewer are needed to keep up with our costs and that it’s either an increase in utility rates or an increase in property taxes.
Note: The annual inflation rate for the United States was 2.9% for the 12 months ending July
2024 according to U.S. Labor Department data published on August 14, 2024”*.
*source: https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/
