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Residents urge Kyle council to reverse 77% ETJ water rate hike as PUC reviews protest
Summary
Dozens of residents from Waterstone, Anthem, Six Creeks and other ETJ neighborhoods told the Kyle City Council that an October rate jump pushed water bills up 77%, left families budgeting at crisis levels and is now under challenge at the Public Utility Commission; residents asked the council to correct legally questionable rates during the statutory 30‑day window.
Dozens of residents told the Kyle City Council on March 3 that a 77% water-rate increase affecting areas outside the city limits is inflicting severe financial pain and should be corrected.
At a crowded public-comment session, homeowners described bills that jumped hundreds of dollars a month after an October 2025 change applying higher outside‑city (ETJ) rates. "Water is not a luxury. It's a necessity," said Natalie Aendano, a Crosswinds resident, who described a $220 monthly bill for ordinary household use and urged the council to act while a legal protest is active at the Public Utility Commission.
Why it matters: hundreds of households in subdivisions with Kyle mailing addresses but outside city boundaries say the increase was adopted without adequate notice or representation and that recent court action has recognized grounds to challenge the rate. If the council and regulators restore rates to the legally allowed cap for ETJ customers, residents say it could cut bills roughly in half.
What residents told the council - Several speakers described having to curtail essentials, delay purchases and rebudget for groceries and medication. "Our water bill was increased by 77%. I have a family of five and now we plan our lives around shower schedules," said John Deantis of Anthem. - Homeowners said developers and prior agreements factor into rate calculations and questioned whether infrastructure costs were correctly allocated. Six Creeks speakers said their subdivision already paid for infrastructure in earlier developer agreements. - Some residents said a judge had found the protest valid and that the PUC was considering the matter; those speakers urged the council to act promptly during what they said was a 30‑day window for local corrective steps.
City response and process Mayor and staff briefed residents that the issue is before the Public Utility Commission and that some related enforcement and legal questions are being evaluated. Council members asked staff for regular updates and stressed they would follow both legal counsel and regulator guidance before taking unilateral action.
Next steps Council did not take immediate action on rates at the meeting. Residents were told the matter is being litigated or administratively reviewed at the PUC and that the council will continue to receive updates.
Ending The meeting underscored how utility decisions that reach beyond city limits can produce major financial consequences for families and drive large turnouts at council chambers. Residents said they will continue to press the city and regulators for a prompt remedy.
