Sulphur council reviews proposed water, sewer and trash increases as budget is introduced

The Sulphur City Council on Monday introduced ordinances that would raise water, sewer, garbage and a capital recovery fee and unveiled the proposed fiscal 2025-26 budget, prompting extended public comment and questions about grant conditions and meter installation timelines.

Finance director Jennifer Thorne told the council the proposed utility rate increases are based on an annual review of operations, capital projects and inflation, and are intended to keep the water and wastewater system solvent while meeting grant requirements. "If the rate increase of 7.5% is not approved," Thorne said in reference to a prior rate study, "the city will be obligated to repay what has already been received and forego the remaining 3 plus million dollars." She said the city has received $1,800,000 of the $5,000,000 grant so far and that not implementing study results could jeopardize current and future funding from the Office of Community Development.

Why it matters: The introduction of these ordinances starts a formal public-review process ahead of later hearings and final votes. Residents raised concerns that higher rates would be unfair while water quality and infrastructure problems persist. Administration said not approving rate actions could force the city to repay grant funds and delay major projects.

Supporting details: Thorne said the city has spent more than $19 million on water system improvements since February 2019, including two new wells, a 2-million-gallon storage tank and filter replacements. She told the council future projects — including transmission-main replacement and a city-wide meter program — would require roughly $43 million of additional work. The draft 2025-26 budget proposes a transfer of $6 million from the general fund to the public utility fund for water and wastewater capital improvements and projects $49 million in current capital expenditures with $43 million still unfunded.

Public response focused on affordability and transparency. Resident Wendy Wingate questioned whether legislative funding cited in public materials had been counted in the city's projections and asked for clearer accounting of completed work and remaining obligations. Sheila Broussard and other speakers pressed the council to ensure the city's water is safe to drink before charging increases; Broussard cited community reports of staining and plumbing damage. Several residents asked for details about the status of the Verdon (Verdine) plant pretreatment work and the water meter rollout.

Council and staff responses: Thorne said the meter program is underway: a commercial-meter audit was completed, smaller residential meters were expected for installation beginning in July and larger meters (2-inch and up) were scheduled for delivery in October, with installations planned before year end. Councilmember Adam Hardy, who voted in favor of the introductions, said he opposed rate increases in principle but would support steps necessary to fund meters and system improvements.

Formal actions on the agenda: The council introduced ordinances to set water fees, sewer fees, garbage fees, a capital recovery fee and to amend the code to increase enforcement for overhanging trees and shrubs (the tree item was introduced and advanced). Introductions require a second and will return at the next meeting as public hearings where final votes may be taken. The budget for fiscal 2025-26 was introduced; the mayor and staff said the budget book will be available for public review beginning the next day and can be amended at the public hearing.

Ending: Councilmembers repeatedly told residents that the introduction is the start of the formal process and that more information and public hearings will follow; staff encouraged residents to request documents or meetings if they need further detail. The council's next meeting will include public hearings where rates and the budget could be amended or adopted.