By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
The city will go back to its former water and wastewater rates, at least until the end of the
year, after city council members learned Tuesday the new rates were “not lawfully”
approved.
City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith told city council members the city will have to
revert to the former water and wastewater rates because the new rates were passed
without first holding a required public hearing. Smith said the city charter requires the
city to hold a public hearing before enacting changes to its water and wastewater rates.
The new water and wastewater rates have caused public outcry from customers whose
water and wastewater bills saw steep increases in the most recent billing cycle. More than
100 Del Rioans attended a special city council meeting on Friday, and about 25 were
present at Tuesday’s meeting.
Smith said the first step the city has to take is to go back to the old rates, effective
immediately. She said the city will schedule the required public hearing on the water and
wastewater rate increase for Dec. 12.
City Manager Shawna Burkhart said city officials will take additional steps to notify its
water and wastewater customers about the rate increases and why the city needs to raise
those rates.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
