Chula schedules special meeting after wholesale water rate jump from district

The Chula Board of Aldermen recorded that Public Water District #2 sent a certified letter informing the city that wholesale water rates will increase from $8.45 to $11.00 per 1,000 gallons, the minutes show. The board scheduled a special meeting at the end of March to consider raising local water rates to offset the increase.

During the regular March 15 meeting, water and sewer operator Kent Spainhour reported operational items and told the board that a new lab, Marceline H2O Solutions, will conduct the city’s water testing going forward. Spainhour also reported discharges in March and said there was no update on the pending sewer permit.

On a related infrastructure matter, Alderman Randy Hamilton moved and Alderman Geremy Bru seconded a motion to hire Allstate Consultants to prepare bid specifications for the water tower and to perform an inspection once the tower is painted; the motion carried 4-0. City Clerk Ann Hamilton was directed to contact the consultant.

The minutes note the board assessed 10 late fees to water customers on Feb. 28, 2023, and recorded no billing adjustments. The special meeting will address whether to adjust municipal retail rates; no specific local rate hike amount was recorded in the minutes.