Beginning next year, Mission residents should expect to see higher utility bills.
The city council approved rate increases for several utility services including water, sewer, drainage and brush during a city council meeting held Monday.
The changes increase the base fee that is automatically charged to residential and commercial customers every month.
The base water fee for residences will increase by 10% — from $10.50 to $11.50 — for water meters that measure 3/4 inch.
The commercial base rate will increase by 19%, from $10.50 to $12.50.
For sewer, the base rate for residences will increase about 3%, from $8.75 to $9. The base rate for commercial customers, meanwhile, will increase nearly 32%, from $8.75 to $11.50 per month.
The drainage base rate for residences will increase from $2.50 to $3, a 20% hike, while the commercial base rate will go up from $4 to $6 for lots less than 10,000 feet, a 50% jump.
As for brush, the residential base rate will increase by 47%, from $2.72 to $4. The commercial base rate will see a 47% increase, from $2.72 to $4.
In proposing the changes, city staff said the rate increases would enable the city to pay for maintenance of their capital infrastructure, according to a summary of the recommendation.
They added that changes to the consumer price index made the increases necessary to maintain their operations.
Additionally, City Manager Randy Perez told the city council the city is proposing $2 million in improvements for their two water plants as well as for the excavation of their detention areas.
“That is $2 million that was needed to be implemented,” Perez said. “Also we are looking at the expansion of the water plant because of our capacity and our growth.”
After the base fee is charged, the remainder of customers’ bills will be based on usage for that billing period.
The majority of their customers, which includes 7,821 accounts, uses about 5,000 to 9,000 gallons of water per month. Those customers are expected to see an average increase of $8.45 on their monthly bills.
The second largest group, consisting of 6,223 accounts, uses zero to 4,000 gallons per month. They are expected to see an average increase of $4.89 per month.
As for commercial customers, the largest group of customers, which consists of 850 accounts, uses zero to 4,000 gallons per month. They will see an average increase of $11.50 on their monthly bills.
The second largest group, with 251 accounts, uses 5,000 to 9,000 gallons per month and they will see an average increase of $18.25 per month.
The new rates will go into effect Jan. 1.
