In a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday evening, Guthrie City Council members heard the first reading of an ordinance that increases the city’s minimum residential water bill by over 22 percent.
The ordinance was drafted in June 2023, increasing the minimum residential water bill from $28 to $36 for the first 2,000 gallons of water and $10 per 1,000 gallons thereafter.
The ordinance also outlines rates for residential customers outside the city limits of Guthrie and both commercial and industrial customers.
The council voted to raise the city’s sewer rates in June but did not raise the city’s water rates. The last time the city’s water use rates were increased was in February 2018.
The council will vote on the ordinance at its January meeting. If approved, the new rates will appear on the customer’s January bills.
In other news, Guthrie Water and Wastewater Superintendent Benn Stahl reports the city’s water and utility workers will soon begin an inventory of water service lines on both the city and customer side.
The inventory, required as part of a new federal Lead and Copper bill, aims at determining the type of material of which the city’s water lines are made.
Residents may see utility workers at or near their meter boxes. Workers may also be required to look under residences and take photos as proof of material composition. Residents are encouraged to cooperate.
The inventory is required to be completed and submitted by October 16, 2024.
The Guthrie Police Department will begin a Ride Along Program in January.
The program is open to the public and will allow residents over the age of 18 to observe the activities and procedures involved in daily police patrol.
Those interested in the program must fill out a release of liability form that can be obtained from the Guthrie Police Department or Guthrie City Hall.
