Water Rates Discussed At Public Hearing

A public hearing was held on Thursday, September 3, regarding the 2009-2010 budget for the city of Wills Point.

Mayor Scott McGriff opened the meeting with an explanation of the proposed position of a Park Director and the possible economic impact of bringing more sporting events to the city.

"The whole purpose of having a parks and recreation director would be to add revenue to the city," McGriff said.

He also laid out a general plan that would give various options on how they would use and benefit from concession sales.

Speaking during public comments, Jim Shelton questioned the hiring of a full time employee as parks director, saying there are only two parks. He added that the hope of a revenue stream was speculative in nature, and that the position should be part time.

The mayor responded by saying the position would include managing a staff responsible for mowing all right-of-ways and city property. The position would also require seeking out events to be held in the city. Councilmen also reiterated that the position would be re-evaluated.

Water rates were also a topic of discussion at the hearing. In a presentation regarding the rates, councilman Paul Addison reported that the average age of water lines in the city is 45 years old. He added that during the driest time of the year, the city was repairing two or three leaks a day.

The city, according to Addison, has used up to $200,000 a year from the water department to supplement the general fund.

Addison also addressed to what he referred to as a misconception, regarding Wills Point’s water rates.

"We don’t have the highest rates in the county," he said. "We have the highest minimum rates in the county, but our rates to large users are the lowest."

The city’s new budget proposal includes a reduction in minimum rates, and increases in rates for large water consumption customers.

Dean Ouimet spoke to the council, expressing a concern that "a small minority will take the largest hit," of increase in water rates. Ouimet suggested that all customers using 2,000 gallons and above share the burden of increase. Customers using over 2,000 gallons would represent 65 percent of the customer base.

According to Addison, the state charges municipalities more for more water usage responded that

Addison responded by saying that customers that using between 2-4,000 gallons represent 8.33 percent of the usage, but pay for 16.5 percent of the overall water bill.

By contrast, he said, consumers using over 50,000 gallons represent 24.3 percent of the overall usage, but pay for 12.44 percent of the total.

Speaking after the meeting, Addison reported that the proposed increase for consumers using more than 2,000 gallons would pay $2.40 per 1,000 gallons. That is an increase from $1.95 per 1,000.

For comparison, Canton consumers using more than the minimum pay $4.95 per 1,000; Emory, $5.95 per 1,000; Van, $3.00 per 1,000; and Edgewood, $3.92 per 1,000.

Addison added that estimates for the new water rates are that anyone using 7,500 gallons or less would not see an increase.