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DeRidder council adopts water, sewer rate changes to meet funding rules
Summary
The DeRidder City Council voted to adopt an ordinance raising water and sewer charges after councilists and staff said the change is required to meet a 1.15 sustainability metric needed for state and federal grant eligibility; the measure passed with five votes in favor and two opposed.
The DeRidder City Council voted to adopt an ordinance amending municipal water and sewer charges after an extended debate about the city utility fund’s financial shortfall and a plan to replace malfunctioning meters.
Mayor Harris and finance staff told the council the city must meet a 1.15 “sustainability factor” to remain eligible for state and federal infrastructure grants. Officials said the utility fund is losing revenue—staff cited an operating shortfall described in the meeting as roughly $3,000 per day and noted an annual utility-fund deficit on the order of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The administration and consultant Steve McKay attributed part of the revenue loss to hundreds of nonworking or deficient meters. City staff reported 300 new meters already installed, another 300 arriving June 22 and the remaining shipment due July 18, with a plan to replace roughly 1,100–1,200 of about 4,800 total meters.
Council members asked for more detail on grant history, the exact number of deficient meters, and the projected additional revenue once meters are replaced. Councilman Le (Leoo/Leu) asked for a list of federal and state grants and the amounts received in the past 10 years; staff said that information would be provided later.
Finance director (identified in the meeting as Mr. Roy) and the mayor said that even after accounting for meter replacements, the best-case scenario still leaves a substantial shortfall, and that new meters plus the rate adjustment together give the city access to financing and grants necessary to stabilize the system.
The council then moved to adopt the ordinance. Roll call recorded Councilman Hooper, Councilman Godfrey, Councilwoman Woods, Councilman Marcelo and the president voting yes; Councilman Reynolds and Councilman Leu voting no. The ordinance was adopted.
The mayor and staff said they plan to return to the council after meter replacements and new revenue data to consider reducing or rescinding the increase if the system becomes self-sustaining.
The meeting record shows the city will continue replacing meters and tracking revenue changes; the council did not set an immediate rescission date for the increase.
