City to adopt new water rate structure

By Fred Gray, Clarendon Enterprise

In their regularly scheduled meeting on June 10, 2014, the Clarendon Board of Aldermen began consideration of a new water rate structure designed to bring in more revenue and encourage conservation while protecting small water users from higher rates.

Alderman Sandy Skelton presented a detailed worksheet to the Board that offered several options to be considered regarding raising the city’s water rates. Currently, the City of Clarendon is losing money on water, roughly $52,000 projected for this fiscal year. The city’s water rates must be increased in order to prevent additional losses.

The overall philosophy of the rate increase is “Use More Pay More.” The proposed rate increase will create a projected surplus of $21,000, but 34 percent of water customers (303 accounts) who use only the base 2,000 gallons or less would see no increase in their water bills. The next largest segment, 23 percent of customers (207 accounts) who use 3,000 to 5,000 gallons, would see only a slight increase.

Four rate options were addressed, and the Board favored an option which would result in five-tiered rate structure based on usage as follows: (Tier 1) 0 – 2,000 gallons of water used; (Tier 2) 3,000 – 5,000 gallons used; (Tier 3) 6,000 – 8,000 gallons; (Tier 4) 9,000 – 11,000 gallons; (Tier 5) 12,000 gallons and above.

The base rate for Tier 1 will remain unchanged at $22.40.; Tier 2 rates will increase from $2.25 to $3.25 per thousand gallons; Tier 3 will increase 50 percent, to $4.87 per 1,000 gallons; Tier 4 will increase 60 percent, to $5.20 per 1,000 gallons; and Tier 5 will increase 70 percent, to $5.53 per 1,000 gallons.

The proposal under consideration would also do away with the commercial and residential rates in favor of one unified rate. Aldermen plan to vote on water rates next Tuesday, June 24.

Gary Campbell, representing Greenbelt Water Authority, suggested that Greenbelt is scheduled to increase their rates sometime next year, which could result in another increase in Clarendon’s water rates. Water is becoming even more precious and rates could be subject to increasing accordingly.

In other business, the Board listened to a presentation by the Director of the Donley County Senior Citizens Center, Mary Shields. She pointed out to Board that the Senior Citizens Center provides 100 meals a day, five days a week, in addition to delivering 70 meals to the homebound. Ms. Shields added that the State of Texas has cut funding $50,000 a year, which is a 65 percent cut in their budget. Most of the senior citizens are living on $400-$500 a month and the meals provided are vital to their health and welfare. The center is running a $3,000 to $4,000 monthly deficit and is in dire need of help. Donations are down and the Center requested financial aid from the City of Clarendon. The Board unanimously approved the donation of $1,000, and expressing their wish that it could have been more.

In other action, the Board of Aldermen approved replacing a sewer line on Park Street extending one-half block south from Sixth Street. The cost of the project is $2,896. The City will use the remaining funds from the 2012 Tax Notes to finance the water and sewer project.

Mayor Larry Hicks also reported to the Board that the recent rain flooded the current street and curbing project on Sixth Street and delayed the project for a few days while the street dried out and the dirt that washed away is recaptured.

The Board then approved the hiring of a temporary, part-time employee to help in the office. They approved paying the new employee $8.00 an hour for 20 to 25 hours per week.