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Grayson County weighs raising rates for small Grant water line after county pays more than it charges
Summary
County staff recommended raising rates for the Grant water system — 29 customers — because the county currently pays about $44 per minimum while charging customers roughly $20; staff said purchasing water accounts for about 41% of PSA operating costs and noted recent leak repairs and mapping efforts.
County staff told the board that the Grayson PSA operates three separate small systems (Fair View, Oldtown and Grant) and that the county is losing money on the Grant line, where purchased water costs exceed customer charges.
"Forty-one percent of our operational costs are attributable to the purchase of water," the presenter said, and staff showed that Grant customers are being charged roughly $20 per billing period while the county pays about $44 to its supplier. Staff recommended aligning Grant customers’ minimum charge with the county’s cost (a $4–$8 monthly increase was discussed) to eliminate a loss on that system.
PSA officials also reported operational challenges: a recently discovered large leak (described by staff as a "million-gallon" leak) that is now repaired, and a new effort to map distribution lines to find and prevent water loss. The PSA director, identified in the transcript as Zach, was credited with locating the leak and starting a line-mapping effort.
Board members discussed equity concerns, given that Grant serves only 29 customers and that the school is the single largest user on that line. Members also asked whether residents could or would drill private wells as rates rise. Staff said hookups are voluntary and that past rate increases (e.g., a 35% increase two years prior for Fair View and Oldtown) did not produce significant customer loss.
Next steps: staff said it will advertise a proposed rate change and follow statutory notice procedures before final action; the board scheduled a public hearing and additional budget sessions to finalize rates.
