Whitehouse council adopts tiered water, wastewater and garbage rate increases

The City of Whitehouse Council voted Sept. 24 to adopt an ordinance revising water, wastewater and garbage rates for the 2024–25 fiscal year after the city received notice of a 16% wholesale water rate increase from the City of Tyler. City staff told council the ordinance preserves the current minimum residential bill while increasing higher usage tiers to reduce the effect on residents on fixed incomes.

City staff (Miss Black) said the average residential bill for July — based on 7,423 gallons — would rise from $118.19 to $123.42 under the proposed rates. "If you adopt the rates proposed tonight, that bill would go to $123 and 42¢," Miss Black said, citing the example from July usage.

The ordinance responds to a 16% increase Whitehouse pays when it purchases water from Tyler and proposes a roughly 10% rise on the first residential tier above 2,000 gallons, plus incremental increases for higher tiers. Staff emphasized no change to the minimum residential charge, a choice intended to limit the burden on seniors and people on fixed incomes. Staff also said some commercial tiers were previously lower than residential and corrected those disparities to align charges with actual usage.

Council members asked questions about the frequency of prior rate changes and the study used to set the new tiers. Staff said the city has not changed water rates since 2020 and relied on a 2023 rate study and recent billing data to model impacts. Officials noted the city’s use of Tyler water varies by season; when Whitehouse's wells are low, the city relies more on purchased water, increasing wholesale costs.

The measure passed by voice vote. Council adopted ordinance 24-0924-01 to take effect as provided in the ordinance. Staff said the change is intended to keep the minimum bill stable while shifting more discretionary water costs to higher‑volume users.