Council introduces ordinance to halt automatic water-rate increases; water officials cite infrastructure costs

The Monroe City Council on Sept. 10 voted to introduce an ordinance amending section 36‑23 to halt automatic water-rate increases and require Council review before future hikes.

Initiating the measure, Mr. Muhammad said his ordinance is intended “to halt the automatic increases on the water rate,” so the Council can review proposed adjustments and consider relief for constituents on fixed incomes.

Water System Manager Sean Benton, who briefed the Council, said the city recently completed a major treatment plant and faces continuing distribution and sewer needs. Benton told the Council the City “just built a $30 million plant with 30 years to pay on it” and warned that smaller utilities nationwide are failing from underfunding. He also noted the city’s water utility lost an estimated $3 million in annual revenue after Greater Ouachita reduced purchases roughly two-and-a-half years ago, a change that affected debt-service and project planning.

Mr. McFarland and others said they support a periodic, transparent review of rates rather than automatic annual increases; McFarland described the introduction as an opportunity for the Council to examine the parity between billed water and sewer usage. Water department staff said rates remain below national averages but that ongoing and forthcoming regulatory testing (including PFAS monitoring) and rising chemical and energy costs make future investments likely.

The ordinance was introduced for later consideration; no final vote was taken at the Sept. 10 meeting.