Published: May 25, 2008 02:22 pm      

Fuel, other costs push city vote on water

MWC knows price is going up on many things, so it strives to keep costs down

The Midwest City Council will vote on a small increase in the water rate for city residents and businesses Tuesday.

The increase will cost residents an average of $6 a year, according to City Manager Guy Henson. The proposed change affects the minimum rate or the first 2,000 gallons each month. The minimum rate would increase from $4.25 to $4.75 for single-family residences, from $4 to $4.50 for multi-family dwellings, from $4.50 to $5 for mobile homes and from $4.25 to $5.25 for commercial properties.

Henson said there has not been an increase to the minimum rate in years and that the increase in fuel and chemical costs made the hike necessary. He also said that because last year and this year had been wetter, there was less water being used.

“Last year, we have not been selling as much water as in the past,” Henson said.

Marvin Woodworth, a Tinker retiree, said he was amenable to the rate increase and was not surprised by it considering the rising costs of fuel and other commodities.

“It’s been a long time I know since the water has increased in price, so it wouldn’t bother me,” Woodworth said. “That doesn’t sound out of line considering the inflation that has been going on over the years.”

Dolores Hanlon has lived in Midwest City on and off throughout her life. She worked as a secretary for the Conoco district office before retiring and moving back to Midwest City. She said she didn’t like the increase but wasn’t opposed if it was necessary.

“Absolutely not, unless it is needed. If it is needed and I know what it is going to be used for,” she said.

Henson said he was aware that many residents were seeing rising costs in many areas of their lives. He said that the city continuously tries to reduce the costs of operation and for that reason has been able to keep the rate as low as possible.

The meeting will begin at 7:15 p.m. and will be held in the Council Chambers, 100 N. Midwest Blvd.