Council adopts new rates for Singing Hills wastewater plant; volumetric charge to rise from $6 to $10 per 1,000 gallons

The Bulverde City Council voted to adopt new wastewater and reuse rates for the Singing Hills wastewater treatment system after a consultant presented a cost‑of‑service study showing operating and maintenance costs have outpaced revenue.

Tara Shore of Freese and Nichols, the consultant on the study, said historical costs have risen—driven by inflation, personnel and chemicals—and that the plant’s operating costs are now roughly $821,000. To address an ongoing deficit, the study recommended a uniform 25% increase in the meter base fee and raising the volumetric wastewater charge from $6 per 1,000 gallons to $10 per 1,000 gallons; reuse water rates would move from $6.35 to $8.50 per 1,000 gallons. The presentation also recommended increasing the annual capital reserve budget from $10,000 to $30,000 to begin building a replacement/repair fund for aging equipment.

Public works staff and council members pressed consultants on plant expandability and capital needs. Shore and staff said the current plant, as configured, serves the existing service area and that an expansion to serve other corners of the city would be a separate, multi‑million‑dollar project (consultant referenced a $15 million estimate for a full plant serving additional corners). Councilmembers asked for a follow‑up equipment assessment to confirm the sufficiency of the proposed $30,000 reserve; staff said a facilities/capital study is planned.

The council made and seconded a motion to adopt an ordinance updating the Singing Hills wastewater plant wastewater and reuse rates and charges (motion language presented at the meeting). The motion passed on a voice vote; the transcript records a voice 'Aye' when council called for favor but does not include a roll‑call tally of individual votes.

What this means for customers: The consultant’s example showed a typical residential bill would increase by the combined base and volumetric changes; the study proposed implementing new bills in mid‑May with notifications beginning in March–April and new charges appearing on bills starting around May 15. Staff said they will return with any further capital‑needs findings and continue periodic rate reviews.