BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL APPROVES WATER, SANITATION RATE INCREASES

  

Increases to city water and sanitation rates were approved Thursday by the Brenham City Council.

The council agreed unanimously to pass an ordinance on its first reading to amend the rate tariff schedule for water and sanitation, raising water rates by 5.5 percent and sanitation rates by an average of 15 percent.

General Manager of Public Utilities Debbie Gaffey said she did not expect to have to come to council for another water rate increase after bumping up rates last year, but rising chemical costs and supply chain issues have put pressure on the budget.

 

Gaffey said cost drivers include higher shipping expenses and shortages on chemical ingredients sourced in Russia.  In addition, she said the Brazos River Authority, who the city purchases surface water from, has increased purchase water rates over 5.5 percent and plans on raising future rates by 5 to 6 percent annually.

Public Works Director Dane Rau said Brannon Industrial Group (BIG), the city’s residential and commercial sanitation services provider, is also dealing with higher expenses for factors like fuel, commodities and operating costs.

 

Services will stay the same regarding pick-up day and container size; all billing and correspondence will remain through the city.

The changes in sanitation rates will be different for certain groups.  For example, normal residential collection accounts will go up by 13 percent, but senior citizens will only pay an extra 4 percent.

The new rates are set to take effect October 1^st.