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Topeka council holds first reading of water-rate ordinance after Bakertilly study finds 16% increase
Summary
Consultant Jeff Rowe of Bakertilly presented a rate study that produced a recommended 16% water-rate increase; the council opened and closed a public hearing with no speakers and approved the ordinance's first reading, scheduling a second reading for Aug. 12, 2024.
At a July 22 meeting, Jeff Rowe of accounting firm Bakertilly presented the results of a water-rate study that the minutes record as showing a 16% increase.
Council President Adam Lambright opened a public hearing on Ordinance 2024-7-22. According to the meeting record there were no public comments during the hearing; the council closed the hearing and approved the ordinance's first reading. The minutes show the procedural motion and second and indicate all ayes on the first-reading vote. The second reading was scheduled for the council's Aug. 12 meeting.
Clerk-Treasurer Lea Parks told the council she will wait for the completion of the Bakertilly rate study before moving town funds or implementing interest-rate adjustments. The minutes do not record a final effective date for any rate change or a projected implementation timetable; the ordinance remains at first reading pending the Aug. 12 session.
The record does not include a breakdown of how the 16% figure was calculated (for example, which cost elements or years were included) nor does it attach the full study to the minutes; the presentation was summarized in the council record by Jeff Rowe of Bakertilly.
