Raytown aldermen approve 7% sewer rate increase after extended debate

The Raytown Board of Aldermen voted to raise sanitary sewer service charges by 7% for fiscal year 2025, approving an amendment to the staff-recommended rate after extended public-agenda discussion on Oct. 1, 2024.

Supporters of the larger increase, led by Alderman Myers, argued the city must keep pace with rising treatment costs and follow the earlier Burns and McDonald rate study to sustain long-term capital replacement. Myers presented comparative charts and data showing that, even with a 7% increase, Raytown’s charges would remain comparable with many metro-area municipalities. He also noted that 4% of sanitary sewer accounts were at risk of shutoff as of July 2024, saying the increase aimed to protect the system for future residents.

Opponents, including Aldermen Van Buskirk, Emerson and Walters, warned that a larger increase would unduly burden residents on fixed incomes and that the board should favor the staff-recommended 5.25% increase. Van Buskirk said he would “support the 5.25% increase as recommended by staff” and emphasized concern for senior citizens. Alderman Walters echoed concerns about immediate affordability during a period of higher consumer prices.

City staff and consultants told the board that wholesale treatment costs from outside sewer authorities (Little Blue Valley and Kansas City) and years of underinvestment in pipe replacement were driving long-term cost pressures. Staff recounted prior capital projects and noted that past rate increases had not fully achieved the 7% per year replacement goal identified in earlier studies.

The board first considered the staff motion to adopt a 5.25% increase but then voted on an amendment to raise rates by 7%. Following a procedural call for the question, the roll-call vote on the 7% amendment passed 7–3 (yes: Myers, Scott, Krezak, Mims, Hayden, Aser, Garza; no: Van Buskirk, Emerson, Walters). The mayor announced the 7% figure would be implemented per the motion outcome.

What happens next: The ordinance amending Chapter 44 (utilities, sewer service charges) moved forward under the motion approved at the meeting; the board directed staff to implement the rate change according to the adopted motion.

Quote selections (from meeting record): “We almost need to run this like a business,” Alderman Myers said, urging long-term planning. “If we don’t keep these rates as low as possible, I think it'll be a disservice to our citizens, especially to our senior citizens,” Alderman Van Buskirk said when arguing for the staff recommendation.

The board’s full deliberations included discussion of fund-balance projections, the pace of capital replacement, and the possibility of future rate changes depending on treatment-cost increases and capital needs. The next procedural step for the ordinance will follow the city’s formal adoption process and staff notifications to customers.