After a lengthy discussion about the economic impact on the city’s residents, Guthrie City Council members raised the city’s water rates for the first time since 2018.
At the regularly scheduled council meeting Tuesday evening, the council approved an amended ordinance that raises that city’s water rates for all customers.
All council members agreed that a rate increase was necessary to remedy the city’s projected $70,000 utility budget shortfall; however, council members could not agree on how the rate increase would affect the city’s large number of fixed income residents.
click to download audioHighlights of the ordinance include an increase in residential use rates from $28 to $33 for the first 2000 gallons, commercial use rate increase to $38 for the first 2000 gallons, and industrial use rate increase to $500 for the first 2000 gallons. The ordinance also outlines rates for out of county and out of state water use rates and set the new water customer deposit to $250.
A copy of the ordinance outlining all water rate increases can be obtained at Guthrie City Hall.
In similar news, City Engineer Mike Mcgee told the council that the city would likely have to consider additional water treatment options as early as this summer. An additional manufacturing facility at Novelis is scheduled to be completed and online in late spring. This addition could cause a burden on the city’s water and wastewater treatment plant.
click to download audioMcGee told the council that a temporary plant could be built until grant funds or additional monies are available for the construction of a new water and wastewater plant.
Tracy Robinson, Executive Manager of Guthrie Main Street updated the council on the organization’s activities.
Robinson told the council that in 2023, the organization installed downtown public wifi service, provided 2 $1000 scholarships for the county’s high school students, continued it’s weekly Music in the Park, and hosted several themed and holiday events.
Robinson advised that plans are underway to purchase and install benches on the city’s sidewalks, improve the lighting on Tobacco Alley and in the parking lot between the Main Street and Abshire buildings, paint murals on downtown buildings, and continue the painting and restoration of the Kopper’s train engine.
Robinson added that the goal of Guthrie Main Street is to make the city a better place to live and work.
