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City Council updates multiple water service fees, approves new tap and lab charges
Summary
Corpus Christi City Council on Aug. 12 approved ordinances raising charges for water laboratory testing, temporary construction meters and utility tap fees as part of a broader effort to align fees with cost of service.
Corpus Christi City Council approved a series of ordinances updating several water utility fees, including laboratory testing charges, temporary construction water service deposits and water/wastewater tap fees.
City staff said the adjustments reflect higher material and labor costs and aim to recover more of the actual cost of providing those services. Nick Winkelman, director of Water Systems, told council the laboratory fee increases range “anywhere from 5 to 10%,” and that CCW compared its rates to nearby private laboratories.
Winkelman said CCW’s laboratory at the Owen Stevens Water Treatment Plant serves internal city departments and about 100 external customers, including other municipalities and private individuals. On temporary construction meters, staff described an increase to the refundable deposit: the current $600 deposit would move to $1,500 to cover replacement of lost or stolen meters and associated backflow prevention devices. Council members asked whether charges were based on market comparables and staff said the increases primarily reflect materials costs and competitive procurement for meters and meter sets.
On tap fees for new water and wastewater connections, staff said the ordinance updates fees to reflect higher meter set costs, AMI equipment and labor. For meters larger than 2 inches, staff said CCW will provide a site-specific quote because material costs and installation labor vary widely.
Council opened public comment on the items. For the tap-fee ordinance a few residents and developers asked about cost breakdowns and whether the city considered comparables; staff offered to follow up individually. The ordinances were then moved, seconded and approved by council vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the minutes.
Council members and staff said the changes are part of a series of fee updates meant to better capture cost of service so the utilities’ operational budgets are not subsidizing replacement or labor expenses.
The ordinances take effect as specified in each ordinance text.
