Tuttle Public Works Authority raises water, sewer and sanitation rates; pond expansion tabled

The Tuttle Public Works Authority on its December agenda approved Resolution 2024-02, which includes a 7.5% increase in water and sewer rates and a $0.50 increase in the capital improvement fee (from $7.50 to $8.00). TPWA also adjusted sanitation rates using the Consumer Price Index figure cited in the meeting (5.01%).

A staff presenter said those changes were included to support ongoing utility operational and capital needs, including new operational costs tied to recently completed or ongoing water and wastewater projects. The packet noted the TPWA budget and rate adjustments are tied to capital improvement fees and planned equipment purchases; staff cited funding needs for vehicles, a mini excavator and other utility capital items.

Separately, TPWA trustees considered a proposed $35,000 project to expand a pond in Harton Hemble Memorial Park. The board voted to table that item for further discussion at the January meeting; trustees voted in favor of tabling the item unanimously.

TPWA trustees voted to approve Resolution 2024-02 by voice vote (recorded as yes by Trustee Dixon, Trustee Buck, Trustee Hughes, Trustee Watson and Mayor McLeroy). The pond-expansion tabling motion also carried unanimously and will return to the board in January for further consideration.