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Smithville officials back outside rate study as utilities costs rise
Summary
City staff told the Board of Aldermen the combined water/wastewater fund needs debt financing and likely rate increases; staff recommended an outside rate study and an RFQ to guide fiscal 2026 budgeting.
Smithville city staff told the Board of Aldermen at a work session that mounting project costs and aging water and wastewater infrastructure mean the city will need debt financing and rate increases, and recommended hiring an outside consultant to update the city's rate study.
The recommendation matters because staff projections show the combined water/wastewater fund could dip below reserves by 2029 under the current revenue scenario and sooner under lower-rate scenarios, increasing pressure to identify a sustainable path for capital projects and maintenance.
City staff said project costs continue to rise and many projects identified in the water and sewer master plans (some dating to 2018…
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