August 12th, 2008
Draft budget includes water, wastewater rate hikes

STAFF REPORT

San Marcos residential and commercial customers can expect a five percent increase in their water and wastewater utility bills under a proposed hike in the City Manager Rick Menchaca’s budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

In a statement accompanying the release of his draft budget last week, Menchaca wrote that a study of water and wastewater rate structures indicate “a need to increase our water and wastewater rates by 5 percent in order to keep up with the growing needs of our citizens and plan for future needs in this high-growth area. The San Marcos corridor is one of the fastest growing areas in the country, and we must be ready to fulfill the demands that significant growth will place on our infrastructure. The city of San Marcos must prepare itself for future need for water supplies, as well as significant costs related to a new wastewater treatment plant expected to be needed in 2014.”

The city council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the water and wastewater increases at a special meeting Thursday evening. The increase would follow July’s increase in electric rates, attributed to increases in natural gas costs charged by the Lower Colorado River Authority and distrubed by the city’s electric utility.

Proposed new water rates

UW-1A: 5/8-3/4 Inch Water Meter:

• First 2,000 gallons – $19.93 Minimum Bill.
• 2,001 gallons to 10,000 gallons – $4.67 per 1,000 gallons of fraction thereof.
• 10,001 gallons to 25,000 gallons – $5.85 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.
• Over 25,000 gallons – $6.49 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.

UW-1B:1-Inch Water Meter:

• First 4,000 gallons – $39.86 Minimum Bill.
• 4,001 gallons to 10,000 gallons – $4.67 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.
• 10,001 gallons to 25,000 gallons – $5.85 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.
• Over 25,000 gallons – $6.49 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.

UW-1C: 1-1/2 Inch Water Meter:

• First 8,000 gallons – $79.68 Minimum Bill.
• 8,001 gallons to 10,000 gallons – $4.67 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.
• 10,001 gallons to 25,000 gallons – $5.85 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.
• Over 25,000 gallons – $6.49 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.

UW-1D: 2-Inch Water Meter and greater:

• First 13,000 gallons – $127.51 Minimum Bill.
• 13,001 gallons to 25,000 gallons – $5.85 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.
• Over 25,000 gallons – $6.49 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.

Proposed new wastewater rates

US-1A:5/8-3/4 Inch Water Meter:

• First 2,000 gallons – $23.54 Minimum Bill.
• Over 2,000 gallons – $6.78 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.

US-1B: 1-Inch Water Meter:

• First 4,000 gallons – $47.03 Minimum Bill.
• Over 4,000 gallons – $6.78 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.

US-1C: 1-1/2 Inch Water Meter:

• First 8,000 gallons – $94.05 Minimum Bill.
• Over 8,000 gallons – $6.78 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.

US-1D: 2-Inch Water Meter and greater:

• First 13,000 gallons – $150.50 Minimum Bill.
• Over 13,000 gallons – $6.78 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof.