City Council reviews increase to water rates

On Monday Jan. 14 Mountain Home City Council met to discuss increase in water rates, a fiber optic hub building, possible changes to the policy for military leave, and updates from several city departments.

Richard Urquidi, Director of Public Works, spoke with the council about the need to increase water rates. The proposed increase will be a five percent raise from the current rates. Uriquidi said, “With this increase it will keep us in line with cost and there is also a new water tank coming online as well.”

The water rates have not increased in two budgeting cycles. The current billing is $19.25 base rate for the first 5,000 gallons used. It will now be $20.20, from $1.08 per 1,000 gallons over the 5,000 gallons used to $1.13 and from $1.33 over 45,000 gallons used to $1.40. This was unanimously approved by the council and will go into effect as of March 1.

Wastewater rates are due to be increased as well. For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.