Cottonwood Shores council approves water-rate increase, culvert fee
COTTONWOOD SHORES — Residents will see an increase on their monthly water bills starting this month, after a vote at Thursday night’s City Council meeting.
The council approved increasing water rates across the board by 6.1 percent, and leaders also authorized a $140 fee for residents needing new city-approved metal culverts in their driveways.
Financial Office Rick Copple said the water-rate increase is offset somewhat by recent reductions in garbage service.
Even so, residents will see a slight increase in their bill, with greater hikes for homes or businesses that use more water.
“It (the increase) is not as high as it would have been if we had done it any other way,” Copple said.
For residents using the current minimum of 2,000 gallons or less of water per month, bills will increase to $29.87 per month from the current $28.15, according to city data.
The increase was made necessary by recent negotiations between the city and the Lower Colorado River Authority to reserve more water — 495 acre-feet per year — for future use. An acre-foot is enough water to cover an acre to a depth of one foot, or 325,851 gallons.
Mayor Pro-tem William Plumley said the new contract was required by LCRA after the city exceeded its authorized amount of 138 acre-feet per year.
“LCRA is the one that has backed us into this corner,” he said. “They know that we’re going to pay it, or we’re not going to get water.”
In other action, the council approved the new culvert fees, which are part of a citywide program to replace ineffective culverts.
Public Works Manager George Perry said the new culverts will improve drainage along city streets, reducing the amount of water flowing across the roads and leading to fewer potholes.
Copple said the new culverts will be a standard size, unlike some current culverts installed by owners that actually hinder drainage.
City Administrator Karrie Cummings said Perry will determine which residents’ driveways require the new culverts, adding the $140 charge will appear on those residents’ water bills.
The amount can be paid all at once, or over three months at 8 percent interest, she said.
The council will hold a special meeting to canvass election results 7 p.m. May 17 at City Hall, 3808 Cottonwood Drive.