Cleburne resident urges city to raise manholes and examine sprinkler-related sewer charges

During the public-comment period of the City of Cleburne council meeting, resident Marvin Mercer asked the council to inspect two wastewater manholes near the Villages of Mayfield and to review sewer charges he says result from residential sprinkler systems.

Mercer said County Road 805 improvements increased the pavement grade by about 2'—D to 3 inches, leaving two manhole covers low in the roadway. "If it would be within the city's purview to raise those manholes to grade, I would appreciate it," Mercer said, identifying his address as 860 Towne Green Lane and noting he spoke as a private resident. He asked staff to locate the manholes and said he could point them out on a map.

Mercer also told the council he and his wife use a household sprinkler system and that their sewer charge has increased as a result. "I did an analysis of my own house in 02/2024. It cost me an extra $211 or so," he said, and urged staff to review whether new subdivisions with sprinkler systems are contributing additional revenue to the sewer fund. He estimated roughly 180 lots in the Villages of Mayfield plus several other subdivisions could be producing an elevated total in the sewer accounts, and asked the city to check budget numbers and consider ways to avoid unfairly charging new residents.

Mayor Scott Kane asked Mercer for a specific location; Mercer pointed to County Road 805 in front of the development and said one manhole was located near Mayfield Drive. A staff member said the city would "take a look at it," and another staff comment referenced typical costs to raise a manhole at $500 to $600. Council did not take immediate action during the meeting but directed staff to inspect the site and follow up with Mercer.

Details and next steps: staff said they would inspect the manholes and report back about feasibility and cost; they did not commit to a timeline during the meeting. Mercer requested a review of how sprinkler water use affects sewer charges and whether the city's sewer revenue or budget allocations have changed as a result; the council referred the billing question to staff for research.