BPUB recommends water and sewer rate increases

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board is recommending the following increases in water and sewer rates.

Water rates: 9-percent increase in 2010, 8-percent increase in 2011, 8.25-percent increase in 2012, 6-percent increase in 2013 and 6.75-percent increase in 2014.

Wastewater rates: 9-percent in 2010, 1.50-percent in 2011, 6.25-percent in 2012, 6-percent in 2013, and 7-percent in 2014.

Source: Brownsville Public Utilities Board

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board is recommending increases in water and wastewater rates, starting this year through 2014, but the City Commission will have the final word.

The suggested increases follow the findings and recommendations of a rate study that the Kansas-based engineering, consulting, and construction firm of Black & Veatch Corp. conducted last year.

According to PUB, the study was conducted to determine the overall adequacy of existing rates, cost of service analysis and rate recommendations. The study does not recommend an increase in electric rates.

PUB recently approved the study and recommendations at its first meeting of the new year, but by a split vote.

Mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr. motioned on Jan. 13 to ask the City Commission to approve the recommended rates. Board members Robert L. Guerra, Ramon Hinojosa Jr., and Arturo R. Farias voted in favor. Board members Dr. David S. Morales, Enrique G. Najera, and Manny Vasquez were opposed.

If approved by the commission, a 9-percent increase each for water and wastewater rates could be effective by April 1.

City Commissioner Charlie Atkinson voiced strong opposition to rate increases and took the microphone at the commission’s Jan. 19 meeting to urge fellow commissioners and the mayor not to vote for any increase.

"We have to do better on who we put on the board," Atkinson said, referring to the commission’s appointment of board members to the PUB.

Atkinson also noted that the study did not consider the $46 million in stimulus funds that the utility recently received and said that to force a rate hike would be "irresponsible without looking at alternatives."

Atkinson also urged commissioners to ask questions and to hold people accountable.

PUB’s request has not yet been placed on the agenda for a City Commission meeting, but it likely would be on the agenda for a commission meeting in early February, Ahumada said.

Ahumada said that he doesn’t like rate increases, either, but that these are necessary in order to have the required infrastructure for future growth.

The mayor said that the 9-percent increases for both water and wastewater this year translates to a monthly increase of $3.67 combined for the average household.

Stimulus funds received helped keep the recommended increases lower, the mayor said.