NEWS
Citizen challenges council action on water/rate hike
By BARBARA GREEN
The first reading of ordinances that will increase water and wastewater rates an annual average of $100 was approved Tuesday night, but not before several Bowie City Council members explained their reasons for supporting the rates in response to one citizen’s questions.
These rates will apply to all residential classes, not commercial customers.
The water base rate will increase from $19.38 to $21.31, while the sewer base will go from $14.80 to $20. Also in the sewer the per thousand gallon rate will go from $2.57 to $2.75 and there will be a 10,000-gallon cap in sewer.
The annual water increase will total $23.16 and the sewer base will be an annual increase of $62.40.
Based on the average monthly use of 7,000 gallons the per thousand total increase for the year may be $77.50. Combined the average total increase for the year would be $100.77.
Tami Buckmaster, a local accountant, challenged the council on the need for such a high rate increase. Two council members responded to her comments with explanations for the changes.
Read the full story in the weekend News.
City of Bowie officials were on hand to inspect the emergency electrical generators that were delivered last week.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris and City Manager Bert Cunningham inspected one of three emergency electrical generators purchased as part of an ongoing Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant. They also talked with Jay Evans, head of the city electric department, and Jerry Sutton, director of the water treatment plant about the next step for installation of the generators.
This grant provides funding for one 150 kW and two 250 kW generators for use at the water treatment plant.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
City Manager Bert Cunningham and Mayor Gaylynn Burris talk with the electric and water department staff about the new generators. (Photo by Cindy Roller)
No action was taken on a legal issue after members of the Bowie City Council met in a called closed session at 4 p.m. on July 12.
City Secretary Sandy Page said the council met for almost one hour for “consultation with attorney – Midwest Waste Services LLC vs. City of Bowie.
This lawsuit goes back to August 2019 when Midwest sued the city for its action requiring those who receive city water outside the city limits to use the designated waste collector, which is Waste Connections. This was shortly after the city signed a new long-term contract with WC.
The suit was dismissed in June 2020 on two points in the suit, but City Manager Bert Cunningham said a third point remained in mediation.
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