Boonville residents and council split over proposed water-rate increase

Public comments opened the Boonville City Council meeting on March 2 with repeated concern about rising water and sewer bills and city maintenance practices. Carol Crook Martin asked, “Who benefits from the increase of the water?” and pressed the council to explain how a new increase would be justified.

Sharon Hobbs told the council that bills keep rising and questioned maintenance of water infrastructure, saying, “Our water tower is all rusted up the top” and that frequent main breaks make residents worry that repairs are not being done properly. Alicia Poindexter said the increases strain household budgets and asked whether the city had any wiggle room or alternative plan to justify another hike so soon after the last one.

Council discussion that followed focused on whether to delay the ordinance read for first reading (Bill 2026-003). One committee member argued a small increase now (described in the meeting as roughly 3–3.5 percent) could prevent a much larger spike later: “If we do a 3% increase this year... it will avoid us taking a 7, 10, 12 increase next year,” the member said. Other council members urged postponement to ease immediate financial pressure on constituents and proposed targeted relief options such as senior discounts or business grants for utilities.

City staff did not record a final vote on the water/wastewater-rate ordinance in the transcript. The public comments were noted for follow-up under miscellaneous and the city administrator said he would reopen the budget conversation at the next meeting to allow further planning and public input.

What’s next: The ordinance had only its first reading during this meeting; council members requested additional budget work and discussion before taking a final vote.