The Pauls Valley City Council raised water and sewer rates in a special meeting Tuesday, but not by as much as expected.
The water service base rate will go from $20 to $41.25, with the increase intended to help repay a new loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
The loan, authorized by the Pauls Valley Municipal Authority on Tuesday, will be for $12,630,000 to cover repairs to the water plant.
The recommendation initially presented to the council included a loan of $21,090,000 and a water base rate increase to $61, amounts that would have covered repairs to the city’s water plant and wastewater lagoons. However, City Manager Joe Livingston reconfigured the plan after receiving negative feedback.
The city is under consent decrees from the Department of Environmental Quality for issues at both the water plant and the wastewater lagoons. The OWRB loan will allow the city to make the necessary repairs to the water plant.
When asked about the wastewater lagoon being left out, Livingston said, “We’ll have to find another way.”
Council members also approved raising the water usage rate by more than $3 per 1,000 gallons of usage. The hike increases the rate for customers using 1,000-1,999 gallons of water from $3.22 to $6.29. That charge increases incrementally, topping out at $6.81 per 1,000 gallons for those using more than 6,000 gallons of water.
According to Livingston, these rates increased to match the cost of production and distribution.
Rates are supposed to be reviewed annually and adjusted for inflation, but that has not been happening.
Rates for wastewater and sanitation were also increased. For wastewater, the base rate remains the same, but rates per 1,000 gallons have moved from $1.20 to $2.76. The rate for usage above 6,000 gallons increased from $0.87 to $2. Commercial and sewer tap connection rates also increased.
In sanitation, most fees saw an increase. The 96-gallon polycart, the most common one issued, went from $18.18 to $21.55.
“We understand that rate increases can be challenging, but these adjustments are necessary to protect and improve our utility systems for the future,” wrote Mayor Jocelyn Rushing in a letter to residents.
All council members were present except Vice Mayor Bonnie Meisel. All motions were approved in 4-0 votes.
Residents with questions about the changes can contact the Pauls Valley Billing Office at 405-238-1300.
