Council approves rate increases

By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — The Trinity City Council has approved increases in water, sewer and solid waste rates.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the council approved a pair of ordinances that raises rates for city services an average of 13.27 percent.

For customers in the city limits, the cost for water use of 0-2,000 gallons is now $26.50, up from $24; for 2,000-10,000 gallons, $4.40 per 1,000 gallons, up from $4; and for over 10,000 gallons, the cost is $6.05 per 1,000 gallons, up from $5.50.

For customers outside city limits, the cost for water use of 0-2,000 gallons is now $44, up from $40; for 2,000-10,000 gallons, the cost is now $4.40 per 1,000 gallons, up from $4; and for use over 10,000 gallons, the cost is $6.05 per 1,000 gallons, up (from $5.50).

Sewer rates for single family residential, multi-family and commercial property, both inside and outside of the city limits, are now $12.50, up from $10.50, for 0-2,000 gallons; and for 2,000 and more, the cost is $3.45 per 1,000 gallons, up from $3.

Dumpster service will increase $10 per account.

Council Member Clegg DeWalt said that periodic price changes are necessary to keep the city from operating in the red, as it was several years ago.

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The city, according to City Manager Tim King, had lost $250,000 in the first three months of this fiscal year, which could mean without the price hikes, the city could lose $1 million in a year’s time, based on increased costs.

The city also has seen increases in costs amounting to 30 percent.

The new rates only will generate about $10,600 a month in additional revenue; however, Mayor Billy Goodin said there was no way to raise rates to allow those utilities to operate in the black.

The new rates will become effective March 1.

In a related matter, the city approved an ordinance requiring shut-off valves on the customer side of the water meter for any new construction in the city.

The ordinance also states that if water is shut off for major repairs, a valve will need to be installed then.

All other residences will be grandfathered in.

The city will help install valves for a $25 cost.