Brown County Water Improvement District #1 (BCWID) approved an increase in water rates Tuesday with their 2012-2013 budget.
BCWID General Manager Dennis Spinks presented a budget proposal to the board of directors showing a small increase over the current budget.
“The budget that is proposed for the year 2012/2013 is $2,721,000,” Spinks said. “That is a 1.35% increase over the current budget that we are in right now for 2011/2012.”
The new rate for treated water to wholesale customers (cities and county water suppliers) will be $1.3955/1000 gallons (a 1.37% increase over last year) and $0.6985/1000 gallons (a 0.11% increase over last year) for untreated water.
Prior to the vote, Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree addressed the board and asked them not to increase treated water rates to cities in the next fiscal year.
“I am here to speak for the residents of Brownwood; we have had a 20.5% increase in our water rates in the last five years,” Rountree said. “You say it’s a small increase; if it’s a small increase I guess my question – is it necessary?”
Rountree said that Brownwood has kept their expenses down the last few years because of the economy and does not want to pass higher water rates to residents.
“We’ve (city of Brownwood) held the line the last couple of years on our city budget with no increases,” Rountree said. “My proposal this year is to do the same thing. The only increase we’ll have is what you guys pass through to us. I am just here to ask you tonight to reconsider and not increase your treated water customers’ rates any this year.”
Despite the request, the board passed their proposed budget. Spinks said that the increase is being implemented to cover cost of living raises to district employees and legal fees to outside attorneys. Special projects such as searching for alternate sources of water will be paid out of surplus funds and not out of the regular budget.
This is the second year in a row that Rountree has made this request. Last year, treated water rates increased by less than 1%.
Other matters addressed by BCWID board Tuesday night:
*The board tabled possible action regarding water contracts and fees for waterfront property owners. After a lengthy discussion and feedback from waterfront property owners, the board will revisit the issue again next month.
*The board discontinued irrigation water on part of lateral 11 east of Austin Avenue.
Pictured at top, Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree makes his request to BCWID board of directors.
