Water and Sewer Rate Increase Proposed by the Mayor

An “out of schedule” City Board Working Session was held on Monday, May 22 to discuss the city’s business and raising the Water and Sewer Rates for residents and businesses in Magnolia. Typically, working sessions are scheduled on the Tuesday before the Monthly Board meeting - which is currently scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2023. This week’s meeting was not announced to residents and the local Gazette reporter. Only 3 of the 5 Aldermen/Alderwomen were present, with Clarence Burton and Becky Magee being absent from the meeting.

As per Mayor Witherspoon and the agenda, the proposed increase in water and sewer rates would be effective September 1, 2023. According to documents provided by the mayor the following increases are proposed:

- In-City residents minimum water bill would increase from $17.79 to $20.00 for the first 2,000 gallons of usage and then from $3.09 to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons of use after that.

- Out-of-City Resi-dents would see a decrease in their water bill from $28.26 to $20.00 for the first 2,000 gallons of use and then from $3.09 to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons of use after that.

- Small Businesses would see the same rate of $28.26 for the first 2,000 gallons and then increase of $3.09 to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons of water usage after that.

- Large Businesses would see the same rate of $64.88 for the first 2,000 gallons and then increase of $3.09 to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons of water usage after that.

- Sprinkler Rates would increase from $12.56 to $15.56 for the first 2,000 gallons and then increase of $3.09 to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons of water usage after that.

Although the documentation provided to the Board was somewhat incomplete, it appears that Sewer Rates will increase to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons of usage after a base rate of $20.00 for the first 2,000 gallons for all users of the city’s water and sewer system.

Fees for garbage ($14.07 monthly) and the Capital Improvement Fee ($7.50 monthly) will remain the same. Late, Connect, and Reconnect Fee increases were discussed, and it appears that they will remain the same as per Board discussions.

As residents of Magnolia, if you are concerned about these increases then let your voices be heard to your Board Alderman/Alder-woman and attend the June 6th (Tuesday) meeting at 5:30 pm.

City Editor’s Note: Based on the documentation provided, it just doesn’t make sense that In-City residents would see a basic rate increase of 12% for water ($17.79 to $20) while Out-of-City will see a decrease of over 29% for water ($28.26 to $20). Perhaps this is a mistake. Also, for those larger families that use more that the 2,000 gallons of water, they will see an increase of at least a $5.12 monthly increase in their bill. It was noted during the meeting that the average family uses 4,000 gallons of water per month. Using that figure, the average family could see an increase of over $8/month for water and the possibly the same increase for sewer. And again, businesses of Magnolia (large and small) will be hurt by this increase for any additional water usage.

At a time when families have been struggling, for the past 2 years, with significant increases in their food, gas, and general living expenses, the city will now implement another cost to residents. When the city implemented the $650M water meter upgrade 3 years ago, the city mayor said that the meter upgrades would provide for more accurate billing and increased revenue to the city. Where are those “promised” increased revenues and why aren’t they offsetting these costs now being proposed by the mayor?

Magnolia’s city budget is comprised of 2 major funds - the General and Utility Funds. During the Public Hearings for the 2023 Budget held in September 2022, the Utility Fund budget was not provided and when asked about it, the Mayor responded that it didn’t need to be.

Perhaps Mayor Witherspoon and the Board should review operating costs of the utility to see if they have been optimized, fixing any existing street leaks causing the pumps to run more than needed, and also making sure that all required water and sewer system connections have been implemented and enforced. Addressing those actions may eliminate the need to a rate increase for Magnolia residents and businesses.

Residents of Magnolia, make your voices heard before it’s too late to the city Board and Mayor Witherspoon about these increased costs. If they don’t hear from you then they will as-sume you are OK with the proposed water and sewer rate increases.