The Belton City Council recently made a significant decision during their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 13. The council approved a new four-year water and wastewater rate structure aimed at supporting major infrastructure improvements, managing rising costs, and promoting water conservation in the city of Belton, Texas.
The City of Belton has planned to invest over $58 million in water and sewer infrastructure projects over the next four years. These investments are crucial for maintaining and improving the city’s water and sewer systems, ensuring they meet the needs of residents and businesses. However, these investments come with a cost, as the city’s annual debt service payments are expected to increase by nearly $3 million.
One of the key aspects of the approved rate structure is the adjustment of water base rates according to meter size, aligning with industry standards. This approach recognizes that larger meters impose a greater demand on the water system. As a result, the base rate, which includes 2,000 gallons of water for domestic use, will increase for most customers. For example, the base rate for the most common 5/8-inch meter will rise from $17 to $18 per month in 2025, with larger meters seeing proportionate increases.
In addition to adjusting base rates, the new rate structure also revises volumetric rates, which are charged per 1,000 gallons of water used. The structure for residential and non-residential sprinkler customers encourages conservation by charging higher rates for higher usage. Multi-family and commercial customers will continue to be charged flat rates. For instance, a residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water in FY 2025 will see a modest increase of $0.10 per month.
To address high sewer bills during the summer months, the City of Belton will introduce winter-averaging for residential customers. This means that sewer charges will be based on the average water usage during December, January, and February, reflecting the typical amount of wastewater returned to the sewer system. This change is expected to lower summer sewer bills, especially for customers who use more water for irrigation.
In terms of specific rate changes, the sewer base rate will increase by $0.57 to $17.95 in fiscal year 2025, while the volumetric rate will rise by $0.07 to $8.07 per 1,000 gallons. For a residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water per month with a 5/8-inch meter, the monthly water and sewer bill will increase by $1.81, from $57.78 in FY 2024 to $59.59 in FY 2025, representing a 3.1% increase. However, for a customer using 16,000 gallons in the summer with a winter average of 4,000 gallons, the bill will drop from $190.18 in FY 2024 to $113.34 in FY 2025, resulting in a savings of $76.84 due to the new winter-averaging method.
Furthermore, the City of Belton has introduced several new ways for customers to pay their utility bills, including the My Civic Utilities mobile app, text-to-pay, and a dedicated phone line for payments. These options provide residents with convenient and efficient ways to manage their utility bills.
In terms of the infrastructure projects that will be funded by the new rate structure, the City of Belton has allocated funds for various initiatives, including:
– $16 million for Belton’s 25% share of the expansion of the Temple-Belton Wastewater Treatment Plant.
– $28 million for Belton’s portion of a $110 million project to expand and maintain the Bell County Water Control & Improvement District #1’s water treatment plant, increasing Belton’s water capacity from 10 million to 14 million gallons per day.
– $14 million for additional utility infrastructure projects identified in the City’s Capital Improvements Program for 2025-2029.
Overall, the approval of the new water and wastewater rate structure by the Belton City Council signifies a commitment to improving the city’s infrastructure, managing costs effectively, and promoting water conservation among residents and businesses. The investments made through this rate structure will ensure that Belton’s water and sewer systems remain reliable and sustainable for years to come.