Water and Sewer Rates Hold Steady in Starkville

Water and Sewer Rates Hold Steady in Starkville

In a recent development, the city of Starkville has made a unanimous decision to maintain the current water and sewer rates, at least for the time being. This resolution was passed during the board of aldermen’s regular meeting. Initially, there was a proposal to elevate the rates, but the board agreed to postpone this request until their next meeting, which will include a work session to deliberate further on the subject.

Moderate Increments and Judicious Expenditure

The board was in agreement that a rate increase is necessary; however, the magnitude of the proposed increase sparked a less enthusiastic reaction. They advocated for cautious and judicious raises that would allow for the utility department’s much-needed development projects. A new base water rate of $8.50 for the subsequent 1,000 gallons and $5 for each additional 1,000 gallons was proposed. For the sewer, the suggested rate was $10.75 with a variable rate of $6.50.

User Impact

Currently, Starkville residents are billed a base fee of $6 and a variable rate of $4.50 for both water and sewerage services. Under the proposed rate structure, a consumer who utilizes 3,000 gallons of water or sewer per month would see an increase of $11.68 in their bill. For a 4,000-gallon user, the proposed increment would result in an increase of $13.85. The average household in Starkville consumes approximately 2,800 gallons per month.

Importance of Capital Improvements

Rate hikes are seen as necessary to facilitate Starkville Utilities’ capital improvement plan. An additional revenue generation of at least $2 million for sewer and $1 million for water each year is required to execute these projects. Proposed initiatives include replacing six defective aerators at Starkville Utilities’ wastewater treatment plant and funding for a new production well. The board requested more information and alternative options before granting approval for such considerable increases.

Addressing Water Loss Issues

An intriguing issue that came into play during the discussion was the city’s water loss problems. Recent investigations into Starkville Utilities’ existing water system indicated a significant loss. On average, about 45% of the city’s produced water is lost every day as non-revenue use. Addressing these issues could potentially influence the decision on rate increments.

Critical Infrastructure Needs

Stressing the urgency of the proposed improvement projects, it was acknowledged that sudden substantial increases raise concerns. However, the critical nature of these infrastructure initiatives underscores the need to expedite the projects for the community’s benefit.

Other Board Decisions

In addition to the water and sewer rate discussion, the board also approved its budget for Fiscal Year 2025 in a 6-1 vote and scheduled to continue deliberation on the matter in their next meeting.