Altus City Council gave its unanimous approval Tuesday night to increases in water, sewer, sanitation and landfill fees -- an estimated $6 per month hike per customer.
New rates for water, deemed necessary for maintenance of the new water plant, are as follows:
- monthly customer charge: $6, up 16 cents
- first 3,000 gallons, per 1,000 gallons: $1.80, up 22 cents
- next 37,000 gallons, per 1,000 gallons: $2.30, up 31 cents
- over 40,000 gallons, per 1,000 gallons: $1.73, up 15 cents
Monthly fees for trash collection:
- residential dwellings: $10, up $1
- businesses, schools and churches: $18 per container, up $1
Monthly sewage fees:
- within city limits: $4.50 plus 80 cents per 1,000 gallons, up 29 cents
- outside city limits: $8 plus 80 cents per 1,000 gallons, up 29 cents
Monthly landfill fees:
- resident contractors and businesses: $22 per ton, up 50 cents
- market area contractors (those who collect trash that originates within the five county area of Jackson, Harmon, Greer, Kiowa and Tillman: $27 per ton, up $2
- outside market area contractors (those who collect trash that originates outside the five county area of Jackson, Harmon, Greer, Kiowa and Tillman: $38 per ton, up $1.50
The council tabled until its next regular meeting on June 15 an additional emergency ordinance that would increase the deposit for residential utility service from $125 to $200. Council members will study concerns of local churches who often front the deposit money for economically strapped newcomers.
The reason for the proposed increase, said City Administrator Mike Nettles, is that many people leave town owing more than the current deposit covers. The city recently wrote off about $200,000 in unpaid bills.
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