Reeds Spring adjusts sewer rates to address rising costs

Years of rising repair and operating costs have caught up with the City of Reeds Spring, prompting officials to adjust sewer rates to better reflect the cost of maintaining aging infrastructure and preparing for future needs.

Recently, Mayor Barbara Hoke, City Clerk Mollie Fox and Police Chief James Eaton sat down with the Branson Globe to discuss several issues facing the city, including the sewer-rate adjustment.

Fox said costs for equipment, repairs, insurance and other expenses have continued to increase while rates have not kept pace. A small sewer increase was implemented for customers outside city limits late last year.

The city commissioned a rate study to determine what would be needed to adequately maintain its existing system. Fox said the council discussed the issue over multiple meetings before deciding a larger adjustment was necessary rather than continuing with smaller increases and temporary fixes.

“We had a rate study completed for budget purposes in order to be able to maintain and take care of what we currently have,” Fox said.

Under the new sewer-rate structure, the base rate increased from $20 to $40, while the per-1,000-gallon rate increased from $4.75 to $6.50, a $1.75 increase.

Although the base rate doubled, officials said a customer’s total bill will not double. The actual amount will depend on usage.

Fox said the additional revenue should give the city greater ability to address equipment repairs and replacements as they arise.

“We have been putting so many little Band-Aids on emergency situations with water and sewer that we haven’t been able to be proactive,” Fox said. “This is going to help us be a little more proactive when a pump goes out or an actuator goes out.”

Hoke said the city wants residents to understand that the increase will help keep operations running and will not fix every existing infrastructure issue, but it represents a start toward becoming more proactive instead of reactive. With anticipated growth in the area, including Silver Dollar City’s major multiyear development project, maintaining adequate infrastructure will become increasingly important.

“It’s going to keep the city running,” Hoke said. “It’s not fixing every issue.”

The new sewer rates took effect Aug. 1. Bills for July usage, due Aug. 20, remain under the previous rate structure.

For more information about sewer rates or other city business, residents may contact Reeds Spring City Hall or visit the City of Reeds Spring website.