V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
Water, water everywhere… and you’ll pay more to drink.
The cost of treated water could go up as much as 75% according to Northeast Texas Municipal Water District General manager Wayne Owen.
Owen gave a presentation to Jefferson City Council Tuesday evening indicating the possible rate increase. The increase affects the cost the city pays for water before selling it to residents.
Currently, the City has enjoyed a subsidized rate of $1.48 per 1,000 gallons of water. However, due to increased costs as well as a decrease in industrial water sales, and a new Lake O’the Pines maintenance fee, that rate may increase to $2.59 per 1,000 gallons.
The estimated increase will cost the City an additional $166,500 in next year’s budget.
Owens said he wished it didn’t have to be done all in one fell swoop but, the City has enjoyed the rate for the last 14 years. And, as one fo the original seven cities to put in funds to build the Lake O’the Pines dam, they have received a substantial discount over the years.
Even with the new rate, the City will still be paying less than the $5.17 per 1,000 gallon cost to treat the water.
The final increase amount will not be known until the September NETWMD board meeting.
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker said that while not ideal, at least it is happening now while the City is beginning the budgeting process.
How much the rate increase will trickle down to City water customers has yet to be determined.
Even cooled water couldn’t reduce the temperatures of Jeff Soffich and Gary Endsley as Soffich request to “clean up” two lots across from his house on Camp Street.
Soffich requested permission from Council to pickup trash that had accumulated on the lot, tear down an old “hog wire fence,” and then bring in a mulcher to “clear out the underbrush.” In exchange for doing this, at no cost to the city, Soffich requested he be consulted as to what the City does with the property afterwards.
Baker told Soffich that the lots were part of the Port Jefferson History and Nature Center Park, and, while the City owned the land, what is allowed is managed by the Today Foundation, locally represented by Gary Endsley.
Endsley referenced the agreeement which requires the City to “maintain the Port Jefferson History and Nature Center Premises in a clean, safe, wholesome, and sanitary condition, free of trash, garbage, or obstructions of any kind, …”
Baker told both Soffich and Endsley he would get with the Streets Department and have them get with Endsley to see what needed to be removed.
Soffich requested a hard deadline for the work to be completed, while Endsley said they would do it, but it would be after they complete removing downed trees and repairing the raised boardwalks in the park.
Soffich expressed his dislike for this timeline. Shouting from both Soffich and Endsley esused, causing Baker to propose having both men removed from the meeting.
Ultimately Soffich’s request was denied, and Jefferson Police Chief Tino Perez followed both men out of the meeting.
Baker also made note of residents concerns about the Street Resurfacing campaign affecting “their yards.” Baker said that various flags are going up along the City right-of-ways where the work will be ocurring and residents are requested to not remove them.
“I want to remind that while you may have to mow the entire yard [out to the pavement], not all of that area is legally yours,” Baker said. “Properties have encroached out into the right-of-ways over the years and we have always reserved th rigt to take back those right-of-ways.”
Those with concerns should contact City Hall.
Baker also said a meeting is scheduled with TxDOT, County Judge Leward LaFleur, and the City over options to address the increased traffic, speeds, and fatal accidents which have occurred along US59 the last severl years.
“TxDOT is taking this just as seriously as we are,” Baker said. “We’ll be sitting down in a couple of weeks and looking at options.”
The recent power outage which closed City Hall, along with most of the County, left one employee requesting the restoration of one day of vacation time as the offices were closed.
City Secretary Melissa Boyd requested Council make the final decision which would allow the emplooyee to receive Administrative Leave pay instead of vacation time.
Ultimately, Council approved the request, restoring the one day of vacation to the employee.
Council did note that this was a situation they needed to address in the rework of the employee handbook.
In other business, Council:
- – approved Solar installation permits for Thomas Abernathy, Alan minneman, Diana Peloquin, Nichole Blakely, and David Doriot
- – approved the Retirement Contribution rate of .76%
- – approved dates and times for the 2023-24 Budget workshops
- – approved a new event, Jeeep Jam for Aug 25-26
- – approved issuing RFQ for a new city hall.