By Anton Riecher
By a 4-0 vote, the Lytle City Council amended the drought fee utility rate schedule originally passed in August to discourage high usage during periods of mandatory water restrictions.
City Administrator Zachary Meadows told the council at its Jan. 12 meeting that the city staff grew concerned that the amounts charged in the lowest tiers of the drought fee schedule might have an adverse effect on customers.
“It really wasn’t fair across the board when you really look at the numbers,” Meadows said. “What I really think the main objective tonight should be is coming up with a more equitable charge across the board.”
A drought fee is an additional fee imposed by a city-owned water utility on customers during severe water shortages, designed to discourage high water usage and enforce conservation. Under Stage 4 restrictions, the fee for between 3,001-to10,000 gallons is $25, rising by tiers to $250 for over 100,000 gallons.
Under the amended structure proposed by Meadows the drought fee for 3,001-to-10,000 gallons of water used would drop from $25 to $5. From 10,001-to-25,000 gallons the fee will drop from $30 to $10. However, the additional charge for 25,000-to-50,000 would increase from $40 to $50 with further increases in the next four ascending tiers in the schedule.
Meadows said the drought fees are the result of mandatory pumping restrictions invoked on municipalities by the Edwards Aquifer Authority due to ongoing drought conditions.
“We are told we can’t use as much water and if residents and businesses continue to use more water we are going to go over (the restrictions) and we have to…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Lytle council amends drought fees to discourage high water usage
